South Korean bagel shop staff in 20s dies after alleged 80-hour workweeks; company denies overwork claims
A staff member in his 20s at the popular bagel chain London Bagel Museum reportedly died after working excessively long hours. The company has denied claims that overwork caused his death.
- 26-year-old Runbemu employee found dead in dorm after reportedly working up to 80 hours weekly.
- Justice Party says he averaged 58 hours/week, exceeding legal limits.
- Company denies overwork, claiming only nine hours of overtime recorded.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — A 26-year-old staff member at the popular bagel chain London Bagel Museum (Runbemu) has died after reportedly enduring gruelling 80-hour workweeks, reigniting debate about overwork and labour protections in South Korea’s food service industry.
Found dead after preparing for new branch opening
The employee, who joined the company in May 2024, was found in cardiac arrest at his dormitory on 16 July 2025, shortly after helping to prepare for the opening of the chain’s new Incheon branch, according to SBS and a statement released by the Justice Party on 27 October.
The Justice Party claimed that in the days before his death, he had been working from 9 a.m. until nearly midnight, and just five days earlier, he reportedly endured a 21-hour shift. Based on work logs and messages, his average weekly hours reached 58, surpassing South Korea’s 52-hour legal limit.
His employment contract allegedly required over 14 hours of weekly overtime, and he was often transferred between multiple stores across cities.
Company denies overwork link
Runbemu, which operates seven outlets nationwide and is famed for its long queues and “bagel craze,” denied the overwork allegations. The company claimed employees averaged 43.5 working hours per week and said the deceased recorded only nine hours of overtime in 13 months.
However, Runbemu conceded that “unrecorded overtime cannot be completely ruled out.”
The victim’s family has since filed for industrial accident compensation, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor has launched a formal investigation.
Renewed scrutiny over workplace culture
The case has drawn strong public reaction online, with many calling for tougher enforcement of labour laws and better protections for service industry workers.
The Justice Party criticised “exploitative labour practices disguised as dedication” in South Korea’s café and restaurant sectors, where long hours are often normalised.
Runbemu has pledged to cooperate fully with authorities and review its internal management systems to prevent future incidents.
