"Is This 50,000 Won?"... Jeju Yongduam Street Vendor Voluntarily Removes Stall After 'Overcharging Controversy'

Violation of Origin Labeling and Unauthorized Business Operations Detected

All illegal street stalls near Yongduam in Jeju Island, which were criticized for so-called 'overcharging,' have been voluntarily removed.

According to Jeju City on the 2nd, merchants who were caught last month for violating seafood origin labeling, unauthorized occupation and use of public waters, and unlicensed business operations voluntarily dismantled the Yongduam street stalls.

Photo by YouTube channel 'Busan Yeoja Haku Jjang'

Previously, this area was embroiled in controversy over 'overcharging.' At the end of June, YouTuber A posted a video titled "50,000 Won Seafood Overcharge That Even Jeju Residents Couldn’t Do Anything About," after which a complaint was filed with the Safe Report Center suspecting illegal sales activities.

In the video, A ordered 50,000 won worth of seafood including abalone, sea cucumber, conch, and sea squirt from street vendors near the Yongduam coast, but the quantity was absurdly small compared to the price.

As the video spread and the controversy grew, Jeju City conducted an on-site inspection. Through the crackdown, unlicensed business operations and violations of origin labeling were detected. The area where the stalls were set up is public water, and prior permission is required to use it.

Additionally, the inspection revealed that although six merchants were confirmed to be operating, a total of 17 people took turns running unlicensed businesses in three groups and shared the profits. They are known to belong to a certain village women's association, including some haenyeo (female divers).

Accordingly, Jeju City ordered the merchants to voluntarily remove the street stalls, and the merchants recently dismantled all tents and structures on their own.

Although the merchants voluntarily removed the tents, they are unlikely to avoid fines. Currently, Jeju City has sent preliminary notices of fines for unlicensed business operations along with orders to restore the unauthorized occupation and use of public waters to their original state.