Tteokbokki and Sundae for a Few Points at 10,000 Won... "Gwangjang Market's 'Overcharging', Sending Fake Customers to Catch Them"

Seoul City to Address Overcharging Controversy with Merchants' Association
Plan to Implement Fixed Pricing System... Sending 'Mystery Shoppers' for Verification

Seoul City has recently taken measures to address the controversy surrounding Gwangjang Market, which faced criticism for 'overcharging' foreign tourists. The city plans to introduce a fixed quantity labeling system and continuously monitor the market by sending undercover customers who conceal their identities.

Tteokbokki and Sundae sold at Gwangjang Market. The photo is not directly related to the article. [Image source=Getty Images]

According to Seoul City on the 3rd, Jongno-gu, the merchants' association, and the street food vendors' association have agreed to implement a 'fixed quantity labeling system' that displays the exact weight or quantity of food next to the menu prices. This measure aims to prevent selling food with reduced content or excessively poor composition.

For example, for Yukhoe, a dish symbolizing Gwangjang Market, Store A would indicate selling 200g of Yukhoe for 19,000 KRW, while Store B would show 300g of Yukhoe for 28,000 KRW. Seoul City stated, "After consultations with Gwangjang Market merchants in December, the system will be gradually implemented by item in the first half of next year."

Additionally, Seoul City will send 'mystery shoppers'?undercover customers who hide their identities?to the market to continuously check whether prices and quantities are properly maintained. If overcharging or forced sales are detected, the city plans to report these cases to the Gwangjang Market merchants' association and demand strong sanctions such as business suspension.

Seoul City sends "mystery shoppers," undercover customers who visit stores anonymously to evaluate them, to the market to continuously check whether prices and quantities are properly maintained. The photo is not directly related to the article. [Image source=Getty Images]

Furthermore, if price adjustments are necessary due to price increases, previously prices were decided solely by consensus among street vendors. Going forward, the increase rate and timing will be determined through a 'pre-price consultation body' involving the merchants' association, Seoul City, and the local district office. Service education for merchants will also be expanded from once a month to twice a month, and education on establishing fair trade practices, such as prohibiting cash payment inducements, will be conducted.

Recently, a store in Gwangjang Market was found to have sold a set of eight assorted pancakes for 15,000 KRW and was suspended from business for 10 days. Additionally, complaints have been raised about food prices and hygiene in the nearby Jongno 3-ga pojangmacha (street food stalls) area.

A Seoul City official said, "The Gwangjang Market merchants' association has recognized the seriousness of the recent overcharging controversy and decided to undertake strong self-regulation efforts. We have initiated measures to establish fair trade practices in Gwangjang Market, the largest traditional market with a 120-year history and Korea's first traditional market."

Gwangjang Market, Jongno-gu, Seoul [Image source provided by Netflix]

He added, "We will prepare various alternatives to restore trust in Gwangjang Market and continue to strive to make it a market loved and trusted by tourists."

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