Controversy Over Overcharging Continues This Year
Prices Excessively High Compared to Quantity
Overcharging Task Force Operated but Insufficient
Recently, local festivals have been plagued by 'overcharging controversies,' and the Makguksu Dakgalbi Festival in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, was no exception.
The Makguksu Dakgalbi Festival in Chuncheon City, which was controversial last year, has once again come under scrutiny this year due to overcharging issues. [Photo by Online Community Archive]
On the 23rd, Segye Ilbo reported that out of the four local food stalls set up at the Makguksu Dakgalbi Festival site, three did not display the weight of their food. Even the one restaurant that did display weight sold whole pig barbecue (500g) for 40,000 won, which was considered excessively expensive relative to the portion size, drawing complaints from netizens.
Chuncheon City announced that it would operate an overcharging report center from the 18th to the 23rd during the festival and that local organizations in Chuncheon would also run an overcharging crackdown team. However, non-local vendors visiting the festival violated the weight display system or sold food at excessively high prices, leading to yet another overcharging controversy this year.
Criticism of the festival continued across various social networking services (SNS) and online communities. Netizen A said, "Food is being sold at prices even higher than other regional festivals," adding, "I heard this was an issue last year as well, so it was disappointing that nothing had changed."
Last year, the Chuncheon Makguksu Dakgalbi Festival also suffered from overcharging controversies. Potato pancakes with a diameter of 10 cm were sold at 25,000 won for three pieces, and dakgalbi with both vegetables and meat being insufficient was sold at 28,000 won for two servings, drawing criticism. Photos posted by netizens at the time showed small potato pancakes that looked like they had been partially eaten, and portions of seasoned dakgalbi less than two fists in size placed on cabbage and green onions. The amount of meat was so small it was almost comparable to the amount of seasoning.
The overcharging controversy is not limited to food alone. According to Gangwon Ilbo, it was later revealed that a vendor at the Chuncheon Makguksu Dakgalbi Festival sold clothing made from Chinese fabric disguised as products from Jeju Island. Informant B said, "I recently purchased naturally dyed clothing worth 120,000 won at the Chuncheon Makguksu Dakgalbi Festival," adding, "The seller explained it was 'Jeju-made clothing,' but when I checked the purchased clothes at home, they were labeled 'Made in China.'"
Regarding this controversy, an official from the organizing committee explained, "There were shortcomings in the communication process with food vendors." About the Chinese-made clothing, they stated, "The clothing purchased by B was made from Chinese fabric but dyed directly with Jeju-produced persimmon tannin. We have completed corrective measures for origin labeling and will actively explain the measures and work toward refunds."
Netizens who came across this story responded with comments such as "This is why I don't go to local festivals," "A festival full of deception," "Even with crackdowns, the slippery vendors escape," "Festivals should be enjoyable for everyone, but the merchants seem too obsessed with money," and "40,000 won for 500g is too much."
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