Two days before the martial law declaration on Dec. 3, South Korea’s former and current intelligence commanders met at a Lotteria branch in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, to plot the martial law plan while eating burgers. Following the revelation, the fast-food chain was inundated with requests for satirical items, including a “martial law burger” and an “impeachment set.” In response, Lotteria headquarters told Chosun Ilbo on Dec. 18, “We are just a hamburger chain, and we are uncomfortable being involved in politics,” adding that they have no plans to release products related to martial law or impeachment.
Moon Sang-ho, the current chief of the Korea Defense Intelligence Command, and Noh Sang-won, the former chief, are said to have eaten the Hanwoo Bulgogi Burger with Korean beef patties, priced at 8,600 won, at the Lotteria branch on Dec. 1. Noh reportedly suggested they eat burgers, and during the meal, they planned on seizing the National Election Commission’s servers on the day of martial law.
The Lotteria branch in Ansan, now dubbed the “martial law shrine,” has attracted visitors taking photos. One local resident commented, “It’s ridiculous that two two-star generals planned martial law here over burgers.” Police are said to have secured CCTV footage showing the two commanders discussing martial law while eating. The franchise owner said, “This situation is embarrassing. It’s just an ordinary restaurant.”
Online, memes quickly spread, including parodies of famous old ads with slogans like “Ever tasted martial law?” and AI-generated images of burgers with four eggs, playing on the Korean pronunciation of “rebellion.” Sarcastic comments such as “Taste so good, you wouldn’t notice if martial law were declared!” and “Release the martial law burger set” also appeared on the store’s review site.
Some speculate that choosing Lotteria as a meeting place was a strategic decision. Located 17 km from Moon’s office at the intelligence headquarters in Anyang, the store offered a noisy, open setting that minimized the risk of surveillance while blending into the crowd. This has also brought attention to a 2013 incident in which Lee Seok-ki, a former lawmaker of the now-defunct Unified Progressive Party, allegedly plotted a failed rebellion at a Lotteria store.
