Demanded 'Toll Fee' from Delivery Drivers, Apartment Withdraws After Controversy

An apartment in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, that demanded a 'toll fee' of 100,000 won from delivery drivers has retracted the demand after the issue spread as a controversy through online communities.

According to the Suncheon City government on the 19th, the management office of the apartment located in Haeryong-myeon notified delivery drivers last month to pay a security deposit of 50,000 won for the access card to the main entrance and an annual facility usage fee of 50,000 won (5,000 won per month).

The apartment administration explained that the background for this decision was due to complaints raised by residents regarding inconvenience with elevator usage and security of their belongings.

It has been reported that delivery drivers had been shouldering the 100,000 won cost "with gritted teeth" to continue their delivery work.

Criticism from Residents and Clarifications from the Apartment

Once this information spread through online communities, a wave of criticism arose alleging "outrageous power abuse." Many netizens expressed strong dissatisfaction with the apartment's decision, stating, "It doesn’t make sense to charge a toll fee while wanting deliveries at the door."

Calls for a reasonable relationship between delivery service users and providers have also increased. As public criticism intensified, the apartment decided to quickly nullify its demand for the 'toll fee.'

A representative from the management office clarified, "Some other complexes do charge usage fees, and we intended to collect a fee to encourage careful use due to concerns about potential elevator damages."

However, despite this explanation, the prevailing opinion was that imposing additional costs on delivery drivers who provide essential services is inappropriate.

Intervention by Suncheon City and Future Measures

Suncheon City has also actively re-engaged in resolving this issue. A Suncheon City official stated, "After visiting the site to ascertain the facts, we sought cooperation from the apartment administration," noting their prompt response.

Furthermore, Suncheon City explained that they "sent official letters to all apartments in the area, recommending not to charge facility usage fees while considering the local image and the hardships of delivery drivers."

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