A photo showing multiple unattended bags occupying seats inside a Starbucks Reserve near Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul has sparked online debate, according to a post published by The Korea Herald.
Dozens of pieces of luggage were placed on chairs and tables inside the cafe. The cafe owner said flight attendants had repeatedly left their bags unattended for more than two hours at a time, limiting seating availability for other customers.
According to local media cited in the report, the incidents occurred at a Starbucks Reserve branch adjacent to the United States Embassy in central Seoul. The cafe owner said the situation typically happened in the mornings, when flight attendants visiting the embassy for visa interviews left their luggage at the cafe while attending appointments.
The flight attendants involved were reportedly from Asiana Airlines, identified in the report as a subsidiary of Korean Air. The owner said the repeated practice of leaving baggage unattended disrupted business operations by preventing other patrons from using the occupied seats.
The Korea Herald article did not indicate whether any formal complaints had been filed with the airline or whether Starbucks had issued an official response regarding the matter. It also did not specify how long the practice had been occurring.
The photo has circulated online, drawing criticism from some commenters who questioned the appropriateness of using cafe seating for extended luggage storage. Others raised concerns about security and fairness to paying customers.
Neither Asiana Airlines nor Starbucks was quoted directly in the material bearing The Korea Herald branding. Further details regarding any potential policy changes or follow-up actions were not included in the report.
The incident has prompted broader discussion online in South Korea about public etiquette and shared space usage in commercial establishments.
