Soraepogu Controversy Overcharging, 3,000kg of Sashimi Provided Free
"Will Show a Changed Fish Market Through Midnight Efforts"
Alcohol Discounts and Other Services Offered March 18-29
The traditional fish market at Sorae Port in Incheon, which had been suffering from controversies such as overcharging, will provide 3,000 kg of fresh sashimi for free over ten days to showcase the improved market through its midnight efforts.
On the 20th, the Sorae Port General Fish Market Merchants Association announced that from the 18th to the 29th, excluding weekends, a free event will be held for 10 days. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each day, up to 300 kg of fresh sashimi will be provided free of charge, with one plate of sashimi (equivalent to two servings of flatfish sashimi) available until the daily supply is exhausted.
In addition to the free sashimi event, services such as alcoholic beverages (discounted to 3,000 KRW), table setting fees (discounted to 2,000 KRW), and knife-cut noodles (discounted to 5,000 KRW) will be offered at 50% off the regular prices. However, the free sashimi must be consumed only at the so-called 'seasoned sauce restaurants' located on the second floor of the fish market, and takeout or removal from the premises is prohibited.
To participate, visitors can receive coupons at booths in front of entrances 1 and 20 of the Sorae Port General Fish Market, then proceed to the event stores to exchange the coupons for fresh sashimi.
A YouTuber visiting Sorae Port looks surprised upon hearing the price of snow crab. [Photo by YouTube 'Saengseon Seonsaeng Mr. S']
Meanwhile, Sorae Port in Incheon was once considered a representative tourist destination in the metropolitan area but faced heavy criticism due to 'overcharging' practices such as aggressive solicitation, mixed sales, and bait-and-switch tactics. In February, a YouTuber’s video visiting Sorae Port captured the controversy as the prices called out differed from those on the menu, including charging 378,000 KRW for two king crabs and 540,000 KRW for one king crab, which sparked public outrage.
Last June, when the overcharging controversy was intense, the merchants of Soraepogu who came forward to apologize. [Image source=Yonhap News]
In June of last year, it became public that vendors sold blue crabs without legs to customers, leading the fish market merchants to offer a deep apology and pledge to eradicate such deceptive practices. At that time, Park Jong-hyo, mayor of Namdong District, stated, "Sorae fish market is not just a place to sell food but a place that offers citizens a warm and nostalgic atmosphere," but controversies seem to persist.
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