"Why No Change Given?" Controversy Over Unfair Parking Fee Collection at Changwon CECO

Masan YMCA held a press conference on the 13th criticizing Changwon CECO for unfairly charging parking fees. / Photo by Ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Changwon Convention Center (CECO), a representative exhibition, conference, and event space in Gyeongnam Province and the Changwon area, has been embroiled in a controversy over unfair parking fee collection.

On the 13th, Masan YMCA held a press conference at the Changwon City Hall Press Center, pointing out that CECO was excessively charging parking fees to event organizers and visitors.

They claimed, “Although the organizers purchase parking tickets and provide them to visitors, the actual usage amount is less than the amount printed on the parking tickets, but neither the organizers nor the participants receive any refund of the difference.”

Members of the Masan YMCA Citizen Relay Room conducted on-site investigations and requested the collectors to refund the difference between the parking tickets and the fees, but were only told that refunds are not allowed according to regulations and that they should purchase parking vouchers matching the exact fee.

According to them, “Looking at CECO’s parking ticket-related guidance and fee information, it states that if the usage period is less than the period printed on the ticket, the balance will not be refunded,” and they urged revision, calling it “an unfair term created solely for the convenience of the business operator’s collection.”

The members plan to request information disclosure from the Fair Trade Commission and CECO regarding unrefunded amounts, and stated that if the terms are not revised and the situation not rectified promptly, they are even considering filing a lawsuit for the return of unjust enrichment.

Team Leader Lee Seong-il of Changwon Convention Center holding a press conference to refute unfair parking fee charges. / Photo by Lee Se-ryeong ryeong@

Immediately after the press conference, CECO responded with a rebuttal.

Lee Seong-il, head of CECO’s Management Planning Team, explained, “CECO offers a 50% discount on parking tickets to exhibition event organizers or sells them in bulk at the normal price for the convenience of event organizers,” adding, “Unused parking tickets are refunded to the purchasing organizers.”

He said, “Visitors who receive parking tickets free of charge from the organizers are considered to have been granted the right to park only for the time printed on the ticket, and refunds are not given to the final consumers, the visitors,” adding, “This is the same operational method as other exhibition convention centers in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and other regions.”

Lee added, “On the 7th and 8th, we reviewed consumer complaints related to Masan YMCA and began an internal review on who should be refunded if the parking fee collection is unfair,” and said, “To address any shortcomings found in the internal review, we are also pursuing a legal review through external experts to resolve suspicions and consumer inconveniences.”

According to the team leader, CECO’s average annual parking lot operating revenue ranges from 300 million to 360 million KRW.

CECO plans to conduct a large-scale announcement and proceed with refunds after determining the responsible party for refunding the money if, through internal and external legal reviews, it is concluded that the fees were unfairly collected and refunds are necessary.

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