"Assorted Seafood Like Side Dishes for 50,000 Won"... Another Overcharging Controversy in Jeju

Overcharging Continues Following Scaffold Pork Belly and Table Abuse
Tourist Visits to Jeju Also Decline

Due to various issues such as overcharging controversies, the number of domestic tourists visiting Jeju is on the decline. Amid reports of inconveniences in Jeju tourism being posted on online communities, a story surfaced about being overcharged after ordering assorted seafood at a street restaurant near Yongduam in Jeju. On the 11th, a photo capturing a YouTube video titled "Even Jeju Residents Are Helpless, 50,000 Won Seafood Overcharge" was posted on an online community, sparking controversy.

[Photo by YouTube channel 'Busan Yeoja Haku Jjang']

The photo shows seafood worth 50,000 won. The order included abalone, sea cucumber, and conch mixed together, but the portion looks small, barely covering the bottom of the disposable container. The YouTuber who posted the video says, "Usually, a 50,000 won dish is for two people, so they give two pairs of chopsticks, but ah... 50,000 won," and adds, "This is 50,000 won, wow, that's quite steep." While eating, they repeatedly say, "The portion is too small," and end with, "The atmosphere is nice, but..." Another customer who joined the table spontaneously said, "I never want to come here again."

Netizens reacted to the video with comments such as, "If that's 50,000 won, I won't go," "50,000 won? That's scary," "Is this like the side dishes at a sashimi restaurant for 50,000 won?" "15,000 won would be appropriate," and "I can't believe there are still suckers who eat that in Jeju." Another person commented on the YouTube video, "In the past, these incidents were not known, so there were many problems," and expressed frustration, saying, "If two to three adults go to Seongeup Haenyeo Village for seafood, the price is comparable to a decent sashimi restaurant, so you shouldn't go. Jeju small business owners who work hard for cost-effective menus are suffering."

Jeju Province Promises Measures, but the 'Tourism Service Center' Has Yet to Open

As controversies over overcharging related to Jeju tourism continue, including the pork belly controversy and power abuse at beach pavilions, the number of tourists visiting Jeju is dwindling. Combined with the surge in travel to Japan due to the weak Japanese yen, the number of domestic tourists visiting Jeju from January to June was 5,953,000, a 7.6% decrease compared to 6,438,700 during the same period last year. Jeju, whose main industry is tourism, recognizes the seriousness of this situation and is determined to operate a Jeju Tourism Service Center starting this month to resolve complaints in real time.

As issues such as black pork fat, flat-rate controversies, and other overcharging problems related to Jeju tourism continue to arise, the number of tourists visiting Jeju is decreasing. Meanwhile, on June 24th, some beaches in Jeju, including Geumnung, Hyeopjae, Gwakji, Hamdeok, and Iho Tewoo, opened early for the season.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

However, despite ongoing complaints about inconveniences in Jeju tourism, the Jeju Tourism Service Center, which Jeju Province is promoting to improve travel quality, has yet to open. The Jeju Tourism Service Center was planned to be established and operated by the Jeju Tourism Association on the 24th of last month following the launch of the "Jeju Tourism Innovation Emergency Committee," chaired by Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon. A representative from the Jeju Tourism Association said, "We are in the final stages of preparation aiming to open around mid-month," adding, "Before operation, we plan to widely publicize it and accept complaints both online and offline simultaneously for processing."

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