Despite the government declaring a disaster in Gangneung due to an extreme drought, a major hotel sold large-scale package deals through home shopping channels, sparking public outrage, Yonhap News Agency reported on September 6. Amid a severe water shortage caused by the drought, there is growing criticism that large accommodation facilities are prioritizing business over community responsibility.

Sales broadcast one day after government disaster declaration
Despite requests to adjust occupancy rates, business continues
Citizens criticize, "Operation mindset is the worst"
Hotel remains silent despite press requests

According to Yonhap News Agency, on August 31, the day after the government declared a disaster in Gangneung, a major hotel in the city sold package deals via home shopping channels, valid until the end of this year. This occurred after the city had urged large accommodation businesses to conserve water and requested that they adjust their occupancy rates.

Regarding this, Gangneung Mayor Kim Hongkyu stated at a press conference on September 1, "There have been ongoing concerns from citizens that the city has been too lenient with large businesses," adding, "On the 29th, we asked all representatives of large businesses not only to participate in water conservation but also to lower occupancy rates below a certain level."

However, despite the city's request and the gravity of the situation, the hotel appears to have proceeded with the scheduled home shopping broadcast. Citizens who watched the broadcast expressed their criticism on online communities, saying, "No one knows when the water will be cut off, and even if this was pre-planned, inviting people to Gangneung right now feels wrong," "Are they going to use all the water that firefighters worked so hard to deliver?" "It's just frustrating," and "Their operation mindset is truly the worst."

Large-scale accommodation and apartments face water supply restrictions
Supply cut off for 123 users with water tanks
Nearly half of households enduring water outage inconvenience
City: "Mobilizing all resources to secure domestic water supply"

Reporters attempted to contact the hotel multiple times to ask whether it was possible to postpone the broadcast in light of the disaster, but the hotel reportedly did not respond to any inquiries.

Rain is falling in the Gangneung area of Gangwon, where a disaster has been declared due to the worst drought, on the afternoon of the 1st. Yonhap News

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The indifferent attitude of the Gangneung hotel stood in stark contrast to a resort in the neighboring city of Yangyang. The resort in Yangyang offered Gangneung residents a special discounted rate for its hot spring sauna, less than 20% of the regular price, as an act of solidarity. On September 1, the resort stated, "We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Gangneung residents who are suffering from the water shortage," and added, "We are offering this special rate to help everyone get through these difficult times together." The resort explained that, by using natural hot spring water and groundwater, there were no issues with water usage, and that the regular price of 44,000 won for the hot spring sauna would be reduced to 8,000 won until the disaster situation ends.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, water spraying trucks that came from all over the country to provide support are drawing water from a stream on the outskirts of Gangneung City, Gangwon Province, to be supplied to Obong Reservoir. Photo by Yonhap News

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As the drought situation worsened, the city of Gangneung began restricting water supply to apartments and accommodation facilities with high water consumption starting at 9 a.m. on September 6. The restrictions target 123 large-scale users with water tanks of at least 100 tons, including 113 apartment complexes (about 45,000 households) and 10 large accommodation facilities. This accounts for about 49% of the total 91,750 households in the affected area.

The city determined that previous water-saving efforts by these large users had little effect and decided to shut off the water supply directly by closing the main valves. At a press conference on September 15, Mayor Kim Hongkyu said, "We are facing a critical period with no rain forecast," appealing to citizens to conserve water. He further promised, "While citizens endure these inconveniences, Gangneung City will mobilize all available means and resources to secure domestic water supply and minimize inconvenience," reaffirming the city's determination to overcome the drought.