YouTuber with 730,000 Subscribers Claims 'Overcharging'
"Driver Went the Opposite Way... Fare More Than Double the App Estimate"
Ulleungdo, which previously faced public backlash over the "fatty pork belly" controversy, has once again become the center of debate, this time due to allegations of "taxi overcharging."
A YouTuber with 730,000 subscribers uploaded a video on July 30 titled, "I came to Ulleungdo alone for the first time, somewhat prepared, but is this really right?" The video shows YouTuber A taking a taxi from an accommodation in Buk-myeon, Ulleung County, to a meat restaurant located in Seomyeon.
"The driver went in the opposite direction"... Claims of 'overcharging'
YouTuber A is seen heading in the opposite direction of the destination through a mobile phone map application. A's YouTube channel
At the time, A had already checked the route, distance, and estimated fare in advance using a mobile map application. The app showed a distance of about 17 kilometers and an estimated fare of 23,000 won.
However, the taxi driver began driving in the opposite direction from the suggested route. When A asked the driver, "Aren't we supposed to go the other way?" the driver replied, "No." Upon arrival at the destination, the fare charged was over 50,000 won?more than double the expected amount.
When paying the fare, A asked, "Is it normal for taxis on Ulleungdo to be this expensive? It's the same as Seoul, right?" The taxi driver replied, "No, it's different. There, the fare increases by 100 won units, but here it goes up by 1 won units. People say taxis here are the cheapest," which only added to the confusion.
"This is why I don't travel domestically"... Netizens flood with criticism
After getting out of the taxi, A said, "The taxi driver went in the opposite direction from the app's route. There is absolutely no way that going the opposite way is faster," and added, "The navigation app clearly showed the fare would be 23,000 won, but it ended up being over 50,000 won. If you come to Ulleungdo, make sure to check carefully."
Netizens who watched the video commented, "First it was fatty pork belly, now taxis? I can't go to Ulleungdo," "I should cancel my trip to Ulleungdo in August," "This is why I don't travel domestically," "Because of people like this, even honest business owners suffer," "How long has it been since the county governor apologized and promised to prevent this from happening again?" "These days, you can check everything instantly on your phone, so how can this still happen?" and other critical remarks.
Previously, Ulleungdo was embroiled in controversy over fatty pork belly. The issue escalated after a YouTuber revealed that at a barbecue restaurant on Ulleungdo, a single serving (120g) costing 15,000 won was mostly fat. The restaurant was subsequently suspended from business for seven days. Nam Hankwon, the governor of Ulleung County, also issued a formal apology, stating, "I sincerely apologize for the general issues regarding the quality and pricing of tourism services."
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