Hanaro Mart, Green Onion Price Rises from 875 Won to 1386 Won in Two Weeks on President Yoon's Visit Day

NongHyup Distribution Explains "Wholesale Price Increase"
"Unrelated to President's Visit... Part of Government Project"

Seoul Hanaro Mart Yangjae Branch has decided to sell a bundle of green onions for 1,386 won starting from the 28th. This store had been selling a bundle of green onions for 875 won since the day President Yoon Seok-yeol visited, leading to criticism that it was a 'customized price.' The price increase comes just two weeks after the presidential visit.

According to related industry sources on the 27th, Seoul Seocho-gu Hanaro Mart Yangjae Branch plans to sell a bundle of green onions for 1,386 won starting from the 28th. The Hanaro Mart Yangjae Branch had been selling a bundle of green onions for 875 won since the 15th. At that time, Nonghyup Distribution, which operates the Hanaro Mart Yangjae Branch, explained that the price was possible due to the wholesale price plus a government subsidy of 2,000 won, Nonghyup's own discount of 1,000 won, and a government discount coupon of 30% (375 won).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, despite this explanation, consumers pointed out that the price was set starting from the day President Yoon visited, suggesting it was a 'showcase' tactic. In fact, the store sold a bundle of green onions for 2,760 won during a discount event held a week earlier, from the 11th to the 13th. At that time, it was also promoted as a discounted price supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. However, the price was lowered to 1,000 won on the 14th, four days before the presidential visit, and further reduced to 875 won on the day of the visit.

As controversy over the green onion price spread, Nonghyup Distribution decided to extend the sale price, which was originally scheduled to be maintained until the 20th, until the 27th. At that time, a Nonghyup Distribution official stated, "This is a discount event conducted with government price stabilization subsidies," and added, "It is unrelated to the presidential visit as it is a government support project."

Nonghyup Distribution explained that the recent price increase was due to a rise in wholesale prices. A Nonghyup Distribution official said, "The selling price is decided in advance," and added, "The 30% government discount coupon price was applied as is to the increased wholesale price."

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