"Beaver" Lee and his wife, Yoon Eun-kyeong, saw a slump in business after their restaurant, Beaver's BBQ, was placed off limits to troops April 18. The ban has now been lifted. (Erik Slavin / S&S)
CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea — A colorful barbecue restaurant nestled in the hills outside Camp Hovey is back on limits for servicemembers.
Beaver’s BBQ in Toekgo-ri received the green light following an agreement by owner "Beaver" Lee to make changes, a spokesman for the 2nd Infantry Division’s 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team said Wednesday.
Beaver’s was placed off-limits by 1st Brigade on April 18 following reports of underage drinking and a soldier’s joyride through Dongducheon on a motor scooter belonging to Beaver’s wife. The off-limits order was enforced by U.S. Army Garrison-Red Cloud, also known as Area I.
At an Area I Armed Forces Disciplinary Board meeting May 16, officials said some of the many pictures hanging on Beaver’s walls included soldiers exposing themselves.
"[The] bottom line is that the process works," said brigade spokesman Maj. Mike Nicholson in an e-mail statement. "Beaver’s had some things which they were not in compliance with regards to safety and welfare of soldiers, they have corrected themselves and the board voted not to place it permanently off-limits."
During an interview with Stars and Stripes last month, Beaver’s staff said they never asked for proof of age before, because that isn’t normally done in South Korea.
They have since posted a sign barring any military-affiliated personnel under 21 from drinking alcohol at the restaurant.
Beaver’s also agreed at the board hearing to allow periodic checks by military law enforcement and leaders; to prevent non-employees from going behind the bar; to keep all motorcycle keys secured; and to remove lewd pictures from the walls.
Beaver’s, built by hand from wood and materials discarded by Camp Casey and adorned with Americana, opened in 2001. About 70 percent of the clientele is American, the staff said.
Beaver’s wife, Yoon Eun-kyeong, said Wednesday that business was still slow but that they were happy that servicemembers were once again allowed at their restaurant.
