Jeju Province Introduces Measures to Manage Overcharging at Local Festivals
"Food Photos and Sample Displays" Recommended
Overcharging Report Center to Operate at Festival Venues
Recently, when a controversy over 'overcharging' arose at the Jeju City Cherry Blossom Festival, Jeju Province introduced measures such as recommending that local festival food sales booths include food photos on their menus or display sample models.
Photo of Sundae Bokkeum priced at 25,000 won sold at last month's Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival. Thread capture
According to the 'Measures to Manage Overcharging at Local Festivals' announced by Jeju Province on the 2nd, the province has mandated that menus and price lists for items sold be posted both inside and outside food booths at local festivals scheduled to be held this year. In particular, it strongly recommends adding sample images of the food on the menus or placing food sample models in front of the sales booths.
Additionally, a 'Overcharging Report Center' has been set up within the festival's comprehensive control room to enable immediate response to reports of unfair commercial practices such as overcharging. When complaints are received, the festival organizing committee will conduct on-site investigations, take corrective and guidance measures on the spot, and then proceed with follow-up management. If controversies arise during the festival operation, penalties will be applied in the festival evaluation.
Furthermore, pre-education on unfair practices such as forced bundling sales and excessive charging, as well as hygiene and courteous service, will be conducted for local merchants and participants in sales booths within the festival grounds.
Jeju Province established these eradication measures in response to recurring complaints about restaurant overcharging whenever local festival events are held. Previously, during the King Cherry Blossom Festival held from the 28th to 30th of last month on Jeonnong-ro in Jeju City, an online community spread posts claiming that some street vendors sold stir-fried sundae (Korean blood sausage) containing six pieces for 25,000 won, sparking an 'overcharging' controversy. Many accounts of discomfort due to overcharging were posted about the festival, including "Grilled eel was 30,000 won," "Charcoal-grilled skewers were 13,000 won," and "Helium balloons for children were 20,000 won each."
Meanwhile, Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon also called for efforts to improve Jeju's image of high tourism costs on the 31st of last month. Referring to grilled hairtail fish costing 70,000 to 100,000 won per person, Governor Oh said, "Lowering prices and increasing turnover is more important." He added, "This is not just a pricing policy issue but an eco-friendly approach to reduce tourists' burdens and prevent food waste, which is essential for the sustainable growth of Jeju tourism," emphasizing, "If we fail to solve this problem, various tourism promotion policies and incentives we are preparing will also struggle to be effective."
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