Jung Sung-tae, President of the Korea Bathhouse Association, YTN Radio Interview
Direct Hit from COVID-19 Cold Wave and Public Utility Rate Hikes
Operating Costs Increase from 3 Million to 5 Million Won per Month
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeongmin Ryu] "In the past, owning a single bathhouse and a chimney meant you were considered the wealthiest person overall in that neighborhood, but now, they barely manage to survive..."
On the 17th, Jung Seong-tae, Chairman of the Korea Bathhouse Association, said in an interview with YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon,' "Large bathhouses have appeared on main streets, but the old neighborhood bathhouses that served as community gathering places have almost all disappeared, about 80% to 90% have closed down."
Chairman Jung has operated bathhouses in Busan since 1983. He said, "Now that they have all disappeared, it is truly regrettable that vulnerable groups and ordinary citizens no longer have these community spaces to use, and I think they will eventually vanish in the distant future."
Chairman Jung also mentioned that bathhouse owners, who were hit hard by COVID-19, are now facing even tougher times due to increases in public utility fees.
He explained, "For one or two years, our establishments were reported in the media as places with close contact, so I believe many people probably did not even take a bath once a year. I hear such stories from many people around me. Because of this, our industry still hasn't escaped that tunnel."
He said the situation has not improved after the lifting of COVID-19 social distancing measures but has become more difficult.
Chairman Jung said, "Especially due to the increase in public utility fees, we have suffered a significant blow. (Bathhouse expenses used to be about 3 million won, but now) they have risen to around 5 to 5.5 million won." He explained that although costs vary by bathhouse, expenses have increased substantially.
He added, "Owners have shortened business hours, increased holidays, reduced the number of baths, and stopped operating facilities like steam rooms, only running essential facilities to barely maintain operations," and "places that have eliminated men's baths and operate only women's baths have been appearing frequently for about 10 years."
Chairman Jung explained, "If a bathhouse is to be closed, it requires dismantling everything from the interior design, machine rooms, chimneys, and overall demolition, but many cannot do this and instead choose to suspend operations while keeping their business registration to continue the business."
He said, "If a voucher system is supported, it could be an opportunity for our industry to revive. Some policy support would be better. Also, benefits such as reductions in gas and electricity fees would be a lifeline for us."
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