Soraepogu Festival Draws 500,000 Visitors Over Four Days
District Mayor: "Grateful to Those Who Trusted Us Despite Concerns"
Merchants Bow in Promise to Restore Trust
The festival at Soraepogu in Incheon, which was previously embroiled in controversy over overcharging, concluded successfully.
On the 29th, Namdong-gu, Incheon, announced that the total number of visitors to the 24th Soraepogu Festival, held over three days from the 27th to the 29th, was estimated at 500,000. This is about 11% more than last year's 450,000 visitors. Namdong-gu evaluated that "the merchants' self-regulation efforts and the organizers' festival differentiation strategy received positive responses." They explained that when overcharging and aggressive solicitation by some fish market businesses were revealed on social networking services (SNS) in March, "focused inspections were conducted to improve the image, leading to merchants' self-regulation efforts."
The festival was held amid a heatwave with daytime temperatures exceeding 28 degrees Celsius, but the proportion of family visitors to experience zones such as the mud playground in the tidal flats and the salt playground in the salt fields was high. Also, many spectators gathered for celebratory performances by artists of various genres including traditional Korean music, pop songs, and DJing. Especially, the 'drone show' and 'marine fireworks show,' presented again this year, provided visitors with a special experience. Namdong-gu also collaborated with Incheon International Airport Corporation to conduct tours for foreign transit tourists, operating traditional cultural experiences and sea tourism programs. Park Jong-hyo, head of Namdong-gu Office, said, "I am pleased that this festival, prepared with a determined spirit to ensure safety and enjoyment, ended successfully," and added, "I sincerely thank the many people who trusted and visited the festival despite various concerns."
So far, Soraepogu has reportedly made efforts for the festival's success by conducting three rounds of education for merchants and regularly inspecting origin and freshness. Head Park Jong-hyo also urged, "Because we have a dream to be a source of hope and comfort for the 26 million residents of the metropolitan area, there will be no situations you worry about," and "I hope you visit our Soraepogu with peace of mind."
In March, the joint inspection team from Namdong-gu Office inspected a plate-type scale at Soraepogu Comprehensive Fish Market in Namdong-gu, Incheon. [Source=Yonhap News]
Previously, the Soraepogu fish market faced public backlash due to outrageous overcharging and seafood substitution controversies. At that time, the merchants' association appealed, "Due to various unfortunate videos and incidents, Soraepogu, which was the closest and most nostalgic place in the metropolitan area, is being shunned by many customers," and added, "We don't want to make excuses, but most merchants are struggling because of the business practices of a few." Some merchants even promised to restore trust with customers and bowed deeply in apology.
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