"Urgent Return Order Issued" Text Message
"Everything is Ready, But Can't Ask for Money"
The complaint of a restaurant owner whose group meal reservation was canceled by soldiers due to President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law is gaining attention.
On the 4th, an online community 'FM Korea' posted a message titled "Sigh, running a small business is tough in many ways." The author, Mr. A, shared text messages with Captain B from an Air Force unit, stating, "The soldiers in training usually come for a group meal reservation once a month with 40 people, but due to the martial law, we received an order to return to the base and got a message asking if we could cancel the reservation at night."
Self-employed person A shared the story of a group meal reservation for soldiers being canceled due to the emergency martial law and revealed the text message. Screenshot from FM Korea
According to the text messages disclosed by Mr. A, Captain B contacted him at 12:35 AM on the 4th, about two hours after the martial law was declared, saying, "Sorry for contacting you late at night, this is Captain B from the Air Force unit who made the lunch reservation for tomorrow." Captain B urgently requested to cancel the reservation, explaining, "We have been ordered to urgently return to the base due to the martial law, so I am really sorry but it will be difficult to have the meal tomorrow."
He added, "I am very sorry as you must have prepared everything in advance despite it being a holiday," and apologized repeatedly, saying, "I will definitely contact you again when we come for training next time."
Mr. A said, "As a veteran, I naturally understand this," and accepted the cancellation. He continued, "It is just bittersweet to see the group suffer because of an individual. Thank you for your hard work late at night." Captain B replied, "Thank you for understanding."
Regarding this, Mr. A expressed mixed feelings, saying, "Everything was prepared, but since they know the situation, it feels awkward to ask for money. What fault do they have?" Yet, he could not hide his frustration, adding, "I have to throw away half of the prepared ingredients."
Netizens who read the story comforted Mr. A with comments such as, "Small business owners are already struggling these days, you must be really heartbroken," "This is truly an unavoidable no-show," "Everyone is having a hard time," "Even small business owners suffer because of the military," "I can feel the mutual consideration," and "Better things will come next time."
Meanwhile, major small business communities have been sharing key incidents from the martial law situation that occurred from the previous day to early morning of this day, focusing on the impact the martial law crisis may have on the market in the future. Especially since December, which includes Christmas and the year-end, is considered the busiest season of the year for small business owners, there are concerns that consumer sentiment may shrink due to the martial law situation, making it difficult to expect the year-end boom.
Small business owners responded with comments like, "We were only looking forward to December, but we were anxious about a possible curfew," "It is already tough now, but it seems it will get even harder," and "Small businesses have been shattered."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
