Increase in Wedding Hall and Travel Disputes Due to COVID Spread ... Seoul Consumer Protection Mediation Center Reopens

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As social distancing measures were raised due to the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), disputes related to weddings, first birthday parties, travel, airlines, and accommodations have increased. In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 3rd that it will resume the operation of the 'Consumer Protection Counseling and Mediation Center,' which had been suspended.

According to Seoul City, from the 16th to the 30th of last month, a total of 150 disputes related to wedding halls were reported to the '1372 Consumer Counseling Center,' which is 4.4 times higher compared to 34 cases during the same period last year. Nationwide, wedding-related consultations also increased from 199 cases last year to 519 cases this year during the same period.

When victims apply for counseling at the Consumer Protection Counseling and Mediation Center, counselors affiliated with the Korea Consumer Agency first provide guidance on dispute resolution standards. If necessary, they directly mediate to induce an agreement between the parties involved.

Counseling and mediation consultations are conducted only by phone to ensure accurate explanations and communication regarding the related situations, and the service will be temporarily operated until the social distancing level 2 is lifted. Counseling hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to Seoul City, the Fair Trade Commission's 1372 Consumer Counseling Center and the Consumer Counseling Center website also provide the same services.

Previously, the city operated the counseling and mediation center twice this year, from March 27 to May 6 and from August 26 to October 16, during which 196 and 483 wedding industry dispute mediations were completed, respectively.

Park Ju-seon, Director of Fair Economy at Seoul City, said, "Due to the escalation to social distancing level 2, disputes related to events where many people gather in one place have rapidly increased, so we urgently decided to resume the operation of the Win-Win Center. We will strive to facilitate sufficient communication and compromise between consumers who have suffered damages and business owners facing difficulties such as decreased sales to achieve mutual coexistence."

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