[Report] "It's Just One Beer?"... Convenience Stores See More Night Customers

Competition for Outdoor Tables at Hangang Park and University Areas
From Casual Beers to Bombju Drinking Parties
Average Daily Sales of 100,000 KRW per Table
Store Owners Struggle with Pressure... Customers Also Complain
GS25 Takes Proactive Measures but Faces Implementation Challenges

On the 31st at 10 p.m., customers were drinking alcohol at outdoor tables in front of a convenience store located in Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Due to concerns about COVID-19 infection, the distance between tables was greater than usual, but no one was seen wearing masks.

[Asia Economy reporters Minyoung Cha and Seungjin Lee] "It's just one beer outdoors, so what's the big deal?"

At 10 p.m. on the night of the 31st, the second day of the implementation of social distancing level 2.5, a table battle broke out at a convenience store in front of Yeouido Hangang Park. The number of tables was reduced to about one-third of before, leading to intense competition to claim them. Customers in their 50s and 60s, intoxicated with bomb cocktails mixing chicken dishes with soju and beer, talked loudly without wearing masks. Some customers brought plastic chairs to nearby benches to make makeshift tables. A small cycling group of five or six people also occupied a table and enjoyed a beer while wiping sweat in the tropical night.

Customers are drinking alcohol at outdoor tables in front of a convenience store located in Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Due to concerns about COVID-19 infection, the distance between tables was greater than usual, but no one was seen wearing a mask.

At the same time, a similar scene unfolded near university areas. At outdoor tables of convenience stores near Kyung Hee University, groups of three to five people were easily seen enjoying drinks such as beer. Perhaps due to concerns about COVID-19, the distance between tables was greater than usual, but no one wore masks. On a roadside corner slightly away from the tables, a passerby was seen smoking and spitting on the street.

With restaurants and bars closing at 9 p.m., convenience store outdoor tables have become the only alternative. Although GS25 convenience stores decided through consultation with store owners not to operate tasting spaces inside stores and outdoor parasols in the metropolitan area until the 6th of next month in line with social distancing level 2.5, it was hard to find places that actually stopped outdoor table service. Other major convenience stores such as CU, 7-Eleven, and Emart24 have not even brought up the topic. Since summer outdoor parasols generate sales of about 100,000 won each, it is difficult for headquarters to enforce restrictions, and store owners find it hard to give up sales.

Customers are drinking alcohol at outdoor tables in front of a convenience store near Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. A banner attached to the convenience store wall reads, "Social distancing is love for neighbors. Please wear a mask."

Mr. Yujin Myung (pseudonym), a convenience store owner in his 50s near Kyung Hee University, said, "Since it is only a recommendation, we cannot strongly prevent customers," adding, "We have posted notices, but eating food such as lunch boxes inside the store is allowed if customers want." Customers rather got upset. Kim Junghyuk (pseudonym), a 26-year-old university student, said, "One of the few joys I feel while preparing for employment is drinking beer at a convenience store table," adding, "It would be very depressing if even small happiness disappears when finding a job is already difficult." Passersby showed signs of discomfort. Ms. Lee Seyun (pseudonym), a customer in her 40s at a convenience store in Dangsan-dong where drinking parties took place, said, "Seeing many people gathering outdoors to drink makes me think there might be gaps in quarantine," adding, "I can understand having a simple beer, but since they are having a noisy drinking party, my anxiety has increased compared to before."

A GS Retail official said, "We issued an urgent notice to stores on the 31st to proactively respond to government policies, but since it is the early stage of implementation, some stores did not participate and there were customers who strongly wished to use outdoor tables," adding, "We will continue to encourage voluntary participation of stores through ongoing guidance and recommendations at the headquarters level."

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