Cherry Blossom Festival Overcharging Controversy Hits Gyeongju... 15,000 Won Dakgangjeong 'Stir'

As spring arrives, food price 'overcharging' controversies continue at cherry blossom festivals held across the country. This time, the controversy arose over fried chicken sold at the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival.

15000 KRW Dakgangjeong being sold at the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival.
[Photo source=Online community archive]

On the 2nd, a post titled "Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival 15,000 won fried chicken is outrageous" was uploaded on an online community. The author, Mr. A, shared a photo of the food along with a receipt showing the price of 15,000 won, stating it was "street fried chicken near Heungmu-ro in Gyeongju." He claimed, "They didn't even reheat it and only gave a few pieces," and added, "This cost 15,000 won, and I was so shocked that I confronted them and just left." The photo he shared showed a few pieces of fried chicken and some French fries on a plate.

Netizens who saw the post responded with comments such as, "I bought fried chicken at a convenience store for 5,900 won, and it was much more in quantity and quality than that," "The portion is small. Prices have seriously gone up," and "I don't attend events because they mess around with food."

Jeyuk Deopbap sold at the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival Food Zone [Photo source=Online Community Archive]

Earlier, at the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, there was a 'price gouging' controversy over a 10,000 won pork rice bowl that was poorly served relative to its price. A citizen who raised the issue shared a photo of the purchased food, saying, "I paid 10,000 won, but the side dishes were only three pieces of pickled radish and there was no soup," and lamented, "The pork, which at least had a few pieces, was mostly fat."

Last month, at the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival food stalls, selling two skewered fish cakes for 10,000 won sparked a price gouging controversy. Moreover, the vendor who sold the fish cakes reportedly defended the price by saying, "We sell expensive fish cakes," despite the menu board stating "6 skewered fish cakes for 10,000 won," which drew even greater criticism. In response, Changwon City announced that businesses caught overcharging would be permanently banned from the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, and related information would be disclosed on the official website, pledging efforts to prevent recurrence.

The issue of overpriced food at local festivals is not new. Last year, controversies over price gouging at regional festivals nationwide continued, including "70,000 won for a bag of old snacks" (Nutrition Wild Vegetable Festival), "20,000 won for a plate of sundae" (Hongcheongang Kkongkkong Festival), and "10,000 won for a bowl of fish cake" (Hampyeong Butterfly Festival).

In response to the recurring controversies, the government and local governments have been operating a 'Joint Price Gouging Inspection Task Force (TF)' since last month, conducting campaigns to eradicate overcharging and on-site inspections. The TF is focusing on checking whether price tags are posted for food items sold and whether clear information such as weight is displayed.