A pizza restaurant owner stabbed three people to death in Seoul on September 3, 2025. He then tried to kill himself. The attack happened at 10:57am local time at a pizzeria in Seoul’s Gwanak district.
Police and fire services rushed to the scene after someone called for help, saying “Help me, I’ve been stabbed.” Officers found three victims on the ground with severe abdominal wounds.
The attacker, a man in his forties known as Mr A, used a kitchen knife. He attempted suicide but authorities stopped him.
The three victims died at a nearby hospital. They included a franchise executive from the pizza company’s headquarters. The other two were a father and daughter who worked as interior contractors.
Mr A suffered serious injuries during his suicide attempt. He remains in hospital and has confessed to the crime. Police will arrest him after he’s discharged.
The stabbing started from a business dispute between Mr A and the franchise headquarters. The fight was about unresolved renovation problems.
Mr A had complained to the franchiser about issues that came up after his store was renovated. The pizzeria had interior work done two years ago through a company chosen by headquarters.
Defects like leaks and broken tiles showed up within two years. Mr A and his family said headquarters refused to help with repairs despite the recent renovation.
They also complained about a new single-person meal option the franchiser wanted to introduce. Mr A thought this would lose him money.
The franchise headquarters denied any wrongdoing.
Big franchise companies usually force franchisees to use headquarters-picked contractors for interior work. Many add extra charges disguised as “supervision” or “planning management” fees.
The franchise company charged new owners 3 million won (about SGD2,773) for training. Kitchen equipment cost between 23 million won (SGD21,263) and 28 million won (SGD25,885).
Interior costs for lighting, tiles, flooring and electrical work came on top of these base fees.
South Korea has seen more disputes between franchisers and franchisees over margin fees. Franchisers make money by selling essential items like raw materials that franchises must buy.
Many franchisees are fighting back against what they call excessive margin fees. The Korea Franchise Association reported that 2,491 franchisees from 17 major brands are currently suing over such fees.
Violent crime is rare in Seoul. South Korea recorded a murder rate of 1.3 per 100,000 people in 2021. The global average is about six per 100,000.
Several stabbing cases have happened recently in the country. In May, a man stabbed three police officers.
