Gwangjang Market Stall Suspended for 3 Days After 2,000-Won Bottled Water Dispute

A Myanmar-born YouTuber who has lived in South Korea for 13 years raised an overcharging dispute over a street vendor at Seoul’s Gwangjang Market who sold a 500-milliliter bottle of water for 2,000 won. (JTBC ‘Case Chief’ capture)

A street stall at Seoul’s Gwangjang Market that drew criticism for selling a 500-milliliter bottle of water to a foreign customer for 2,000 won has been suspended for three days.

The Gwangjang Market street vendors association said April 24 that the stall was ordered to halt business under its disciplinary decision from April 22 through April 24.

The dispute began after a Myanmar-born YouTuber living in South Korea posted a video of a visit to the market with a Russian friend on April 16. In the video, they ordered items including dumplings and japchae, then asked for water. The vendor demanded 2,000 won for it.

An association official said it is difficult to set uniform prices because vendors operate as individual businesses, but added, “We expect this incident will lead to water being sold at an appropriate price.” The association is also reported to be making price labeling for water mandatory.

* This article has been translated by AI.

AJP