Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival Food Poisoning Incident, 80 Report Symptoms

Dozens of visitors who consumed food at the Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival have shown symptoms suspected to be food poisoning, prompting health authorities to initiate an epidemiological investigation.

According to the Jeju Health Center on the 18th, a total of 80 cases of suspected food poisoning symptoms were reported following the event held from the 28th to the 30th of last month at Jeonnong-ro Cherry Blossom Festival.

As of now, more than two weeks since the festival concluded, related reports continue to be received.

A representative from the Jeju Health Center stated, "Most of the individuals exhibiting symptoms are reporting diarrhea and abdominal pain," adding that "reports have been filed with the event organizers and insurance companies." Consequently, compensation procedures for those showing symptoms of food poisoning are currently underway.

It is reported that the festival organizers are processing compensation through their insurance company upon receiving receipts.

Food Poisoning Incident Following Overcharging Controversy

This year, the Jeonnong-ro Cherry Blossom Festival faced backlash over an overcharging controversy. Posts indicating that a stir-fried dish containing six pieces of blood sausage was sold for 25,000 won circulated in online communities, igniting the 'overcharging' debate.

As public sentiment worsened, Jeju Province announced measures to manage overcharging late in the process.

For upcoming festivals in the province, it was decided that price tags would be posted both inside and outside food booths, and that food photographs would be added to menus or sample models displayed in front of booths.

The province plans to recommend good price businesses and provide incentives to participating vendors.

Measures to Improve Jeju's Tourism Image

As the 'overcharging' controversy emerges again, Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon has stated that he will promote the establishment of recommended prices by industry and the creation of a price complaint reporting system.

Governor Oh noted, "Tourists visiting Jeju have repeatedly expressed that 'it's expensive' and 'the service is unfriendly,'" and added, "We will establish a price complaint reporting system through the Tourism Discomfort Reporting Center."

He continued, "As part of measures to stabilize prices, we will continuously monitor the situation and provide objective information regarding price levels."

In addition, he emphasized, "We will formulate response measures for price complaints, and in the long term, we will consider establishing unified communication channels for tourism prices along with introducing recommended price guidelines."

Meanwhile, indicators of Jeju tourism are increasingly deteriorating. The number of tourists visiting Jeju from February to March this year decreased by 11.5% compared to the same period last year. The decline in domestic tourists expanded from 6.2% at the end of last year to 13%.

Image credits: 17th Jeonnong-ro Cherry Blossom Festival / News1, Stir-fried Blood Sausage controversy at Jeonnong-ro Cherry Blossom Festival / SNS capture, Reference images for understanding the article / Getty Images Bank