Ban on Weddings with Over 50 Guests... Fair Trade Commission Requests Wedding Industry to Waive Penalty Fees

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Fair Trade Commission has taken measures to prevent engaged couples from paying excessive cancellation fees. This is because weddings with more than 50 guests are not allowed.

On the 18th, the Fair Trade Commission requested the Korea Wedding Industry Association to allow customers to postpone their weddings without cancellation fees if they wish.

This measure follows the government's directive that weddings with more than 50 guests in the metropolitan area must basically be canceled or postponed from the 19th to the 30th.

The Fair Trade Commission is currently discussing exemption and reduction criteria for cancellation fees related to infectious diseases with five industries including wedding, dining, travel, aviation, and accommodation, as well as consumer organizations.

While social distancing level 2 does not completely ban weddings, if level 3 is applied, gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited, facilities must suspend operations or close, making it impossible to hold weddings. The Fair Trade Commission explained that this is why they requested cancellation fee exemptions.

A Fair Trade Commission official said, "Although exemption from cancellation fees at level 2 is not legally a valid reason for exemption, it is judged that the wedding date can be postponed or the minimum guaranteed number of guests adjusted without cancellation fees."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fair Trade Commission is working with the wedding industry to establish standard terms and conditions and consumer dispute resolution criteria applicable when weddings are canceled due to infectious diseases.

Orders to prohibit gatherings, suspension of facility operations, and closures have been agreed upon as valid reasons for exemption from cancellation fees.

The existing standard terms and conditions allow cancellations without cancellation fees in cases where weddings cannot be held due to natural disasters, etc., but disputes arose over whether COVID-19 falls under this category.

A Fair Trade Commission official stated, "If it qualifies as a valid reason for exemption, we requested the Korea Wedding Industry Association to voluntarily implement (cancellation fee exemptions) early even before revising the standard terms and conditions and consumer dispute resolution criteria."

Since the Fair Trade Commission's request for cancellation fee exemption has no legal basis, it can only be implemented if the wedding industry accepts it.

If the industry agrees, customers will not have to pay separate cancellation fees when postponing weddings or canceling contracts due to venue closures caused by COVID-19.

Earlier in March, the Korea Wedding Industry Association announced a policy, following the Fair Trade Commission's request, to allow customers to postpone weddings for up to three months without cancellation fees if they wish.

A Fair Trade Commission official said, "We will continue to advance discussions with the industry and revise and implement the standard terms and conditions and consumer dispute resolution criteria starting with the industries confirmed among the five sectors."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.