Gwangju Karaoke Room Owners Outraged... Proceed with Head-Shaving Ceremony

‘Exclusion from Disaster Relief Fund Eligibility’ City Hall Protest Visit

Owners of singing practice rooms in the Gwangju area are holding a press conference in front of Gwangju City Hall on the 3rd, regarding their exclusion from the disaster relief fund payment targets.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] On the 3rd, the chairman of the Karaoke Association Central Committee Gwangju Metropolitan City Branch held a shaved-head protest in front of Gwangju City Hall.

This was due to the exclusion of karaoke rooms from the disaster relief fund recipients announced by Mayor Lee Yong-seop of Gwangju on the 2nd in the 12th Livelihood Stability Measures.

At 2 p.m. that day, about 40 karaoke room owners gathered in front of Gwangju City Hall.

Some wore placards around their necks saying, "We karaoke room owners are also citizens of Gwangju," "Provide 1.5 million won support to karaoke rooms as well," and "Business restrictions on karaoke rooms are tantamount to business bans."

Gu Il-am, chairman of the Karaoke Association Central Committee Gwangju Metropolitan City Branch, stated, "The karaoke industry has suffered tremendous pain due to COVID-19, but we will not receive a single won from the support funds provided by Gwangju this time," and added, "The 'business restriction' after 9 p.m. imposed on karaoke rooms is practically equivalent to a 'business ban.'"

He continued, "Although businesses essential for survival have not been able to operate normally for nearly a year, we have voluntarily cooperated under the belief that the health and well-being of 1.5 million Gwangju citizens come first," and emphasized, "However, it is incomprehensible that entertainment bars are included in this disaster relief fund while we are excluded."

He also added, "Starting tomorrow, I will begin a one-person protest in front of City Hall, and once the assembly report is completed, we will continue with assemblies."

The Chairman of the Gu-ilam Karaoke Practice Association Central Committee Gwangju Metropolitan City Branch is forcefully holding a head-shaving ceremony at Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall on the 3rd.

Afterwards, Chairman Gu Il-am sat down on the ground and shaved his head, saying, "I did not cut my hair neatly," and "Cutting my hair is a declaration of my will to risk my life."

One karaoke room owner said, "I don't know if this is reasonable administration, giving support funds even to religious facilities that do not pay taxes," and lamented, "I voted for Mayor Lee Yong-seop with my own hands, but I really regret it."

Meanwhile, Gwangju City announced the 12th Livelihood Safety Measures the day before, stating that 1.5 million won would be provided to 1,192 places subject to gathering bans, and 300,000 won for purchasing quarantine supplies to 2,100 religious facilities in the area.

The gathering ban targets include entertainment bars, colatecs, danran bars, emotional bars, and holdem pubs. On the other hand, karaoke rooms are subject to gathering restrictions with a business ban after 9 p.m., not a gathering ban, and thus were excluded from this support.

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