Tax watchdog launches audit of trendy bakery café

London Bagel Museum store — Courtesy of LBM

SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - The National Tax Service on Thursday launched a special tax audit of trendy bakery café London Bagel Museum, which has come under scrutiny following the death of a young employee in his 20s allegedly due to overwork.

According to industry sources, tax authorities raided the café's operator LBM in central Seoul and seized tax-related documents.

Specific reasons for the audit were not immediately disclosed, with the tax watchdog saying it could not confirm details regarding audits of individual taxpayers.

The audit comes as the café works to improve overall working conditions following the employee's death, which exposed excessive overtime, rampant workplace abuses, and other labor violations.

Park Ki-rock kirock@ajunews.com