A popular snack sold by the Korea Expressway Corporation at a discount during the Chuseok holiday. Photo provided by Korea Expressway Corporation
In response to criticism that food prices at highway rest areas are too high, the Korea Expressway Corporation has started offering Chuseok discounts, but complaints from returning travelers still remain. Although the price was discounted, it is being pointed out that it is a ‘trick discount’ by reducing the number or quantity.
Mr. A, who returned home on the 28th, said that he bought hot bars and hot dogs at a rest area, but the amount was reduced compared to before. He said, “I bought a 4,500 won hot bar for 2,500 won, and a 4,000 won hot dog for 2,800 won, but I was surprised that the size and number of items had decreased compared to before.” Mr. B also said, “I was going down to my hometown Daegu for the holidays, and a small bowl of ‘Sotteok Sotteok’ was 3,000 won. When I heard that the price of tteok skewers was 4,200 won, I was very burdened. Afterwards, I heard there was a discount on the price, so I bought it. “This has decreased,” he said.
The price of food at rest areas has risen by an average of 11.2% over the past two years, with major snacks such as rice cake skewers and hot dogs costing well over 4,000 won, and pork cutlets and pork rice bowls costing up to 10,000 won. As the price controversy arose, the Korea Expressway Corporation launched affordable snacks priced in the 2,000 to 3,000 won range to celebrate Chuseok. However, there are growing voices of dissatisfaction that this is a ‘trick discount’ by lowering the price and reducing the quantity. As controversy over ‘trick discounts’ arose again, the Korea Expressway Corporation explained, “We have lowered the unit price relative to weight and diversified customers’ options.”
Meanwhile, according to data submitted by Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Oh-seop from the Korea Expressway Corporation, the average selling price of the top 10 rest area sales as of August 2023 was 6,304 won, an increase of 11.2% (634 won) compared to the same month in 2021. The food with the highest price increase by item is rice cake skewers, which rose 18.5% from 3,550 won to 4,280 won. Following this, the prices of hot dogs and pork cutlets also rose by 16.8% (KRW 3,804 → KRW 4,443) and 14.9% (KRW 8,984 → KRW 10,319), respectively. Udon prices increased by 11.4% (5,884 won → 6,553 won), and walnut snacks increased by 11.1% (4,391 won → 4,877 won). Bibimbap and ramen rose by 10.5% (KRW 8,504 → KRW 9,397) and 9.9% (KRW 4,467 → KRW 4,911), respectively. In addition, the prices of Americano also increased by 9.6% (4,066 won → 4,458 won), rice soup by 8.1% (8,281 won → 8,953 won), and cafe latte by 3.1% (4,771 won → 4,918 won).
Previously, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong proposed to the Korea Expressway Corporation, an affiliated agency, to reduce food prices at highway rest areas nationwide by 10% in August last year, but the Korea Expressway Corporation reportedly refused the reduction due to management issues. Accordingly, Minister Won ordered an inspection, and the situation was resolved with the resignation of President Kim Jin-sook.
However, after the replacement of the president, discussions on lowering food prices appeared sluggish. Rep. Cho Oh-seop expressed concern, saying, “It’s unfortunate that I can already hear the sighs of the people who have to pay 5,000 won for a bowl of ramen at highway rest areas during the upcoming Chuseok holiday.”
2023-09-28 06:04:29
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