"Drought at Disaster Level"... Gangneung Hotel Faces Controversy for Selling Packages via Home Shopping Channel

Home Shopping Broadcast Continues the Day After Disaster Declaration
Neighboring Municipality Shows Compassion in Stark Contrast

Despite the government's declaration of a disaster situation in Gangneung, which is suffering from an extreme drought, a major hotel has sparked public outrage by selling large-scale package deals through home shopping channels, Yonhap News reported on September 6. As the water shortage crisis caused by the drought worsens, criticism has mounted that large accommodation facilities are prioritizing business over the community's needs.

According to Yonhap News, on August 31, the day after the government declared a disaster situation in Gangneung on August 30, a major hotel in Gangneung sold package deals available until the end of this year through a home shopping broadcast. This occurred after the city had asked large accommodation businesses to save water and requested that they adjust their occupancy rates.

Amid the worst drought, a disaster declaration has been issued for the Gangneung area in Gangwon Province. On the afternoon of the 1st, the water storage rate of Obong Reservoir, which supplies 87% of the living water in the Gangneung area, dropped to 14.4%, exposing the bare bottom. Yonhap News

Regarding this issue, Gangneung Mayor Kim Hongkyu stated at a press conference on September 1, "There have been voices among citizens saying we have been too lenient with large businesses," and added, "On August 29, we instructed all representatives of large businesses not only to participate in water conservation efforts but also to keep occupancy rates below a certain level."

However, the hotel appears to have gone ahead with the scheduled home shopping broadcast despite the city's request and the severity of the situation. Citizens who watched the broadcast at the time posted critical comments on online communities, such as, "We don't even know when water will be cut off, and although this was probably planned in advance, inviting people to Gangneung now feels disappointing," "Are they going to use all the water that firefighters worked so hard to bring here?" "It's just frustrating," and "Their management mindset is truly the worst."

Reporters made several attempts to contact the hotel to ask whether it was possible to postpone the broadcast in light of the disaster situation, but it was reported that the hotel did not respond at all.

The indifferent attitude of the hotel in Gangneung stood in stark contrast to a resort in neighboring Yangyang County. The resort in Yangyang offered a special discounted price for its hot spring sauna-less than 20% of the regular price-for Gangneung residents, creating a warm atmosphere. On September 1, the resort stated, "We extend our deepest sympathy to the citizens of Gangneung who are experiencing great inconvenience due to the water shortage," and added, "We are offering a special discount to help everyone get through these difficult times together." The resort explained that there was no issue with water usage as it uses natural hot spring and underground water, and that the regular price of 44,000 won for the hot spring sauna would be reduced to 8,000 won until the disaster situation is resolved.

Ultimately, Water Rationing Begins... "Cooperation Is Urgent"

As the drought situation worsened, on the morning of September 6, Gangneung City began restricting water supply to apartments and accommodation facilities that use large amounts of tap water. The restrictions target 123 large-scale users with water tanks of 100 tons or more, including 113 apartment complexes (about 45,000 households) and 10 large accommodation facilities. This accounts for approximately 49% of the total 91,750 households in the affected area.

The city determined that previous water-saving efforts among these large users had little effect and decided to directly shut off the water supply by closing the main valves. At a press conference on September 15, Mayor Kim Hongkyu said, "We are in a critical period with no rain forecast," appealing to citizens to conserve water. He pledged, "While citizens endure the inconvenience, Gangneung City will mobilize all available means and resources to secure water for daily use and minimize inconvenience," reaffirming his commitment to overcoming the drought.