Gangwon Sokcho Fisheries Cooperative, the Channel Jigging Management Association, and the Yangmiri Set Net Association hold a joint New Year's resolution rally in the conference room on the 3rd floor of the fisheries cooperative on the 8th morning, apologizing for the recent controversy over the unkindness of the squid restaurant, which has been reported through YouTube, and promising to prevent recurrence./Courtesy of News1

We are seriously acknowledging the severity and reflecting deeply.

Recently caught up in a controversy over poor service via YouTube and other platforms, the Sokcho squid market, along with the Sokcho Fisheries Cooperative, the Sokcho Squid Fishing Business Association, and the Sokcho Young Miri Fishing Association, held a special service education and self-reflection resolution meeting at the Sokcho Fisheries Cooperative in Cheongho-dong, Sokcho, Gangwon Province, on the 8th.

Approximately 20 members of the market attended the resolution meeting, pledging to welcome customers with bright smiles and friendly tones, and to present honest prices. They received training on customer service related to poor business practices such as refusing card payments, overcharging, forcing high-priced food orders, and rushing meal times.

The Sokcho Squid Fishing Business Association noted, "We issued a warning to the tenants involved in the controversy on the 22nd of last month, and we will consider suspending or closing their business in the event of a repeat complaint."

It also added, "The tenant involved will be suspended from business from today until the 31st, and all tenants will take a time for reflection after a suspension of operations from the 17th to the 22nd," adding, "During this period, we will reorganize internal regulations to create a friendlier operating environment."

Gangwon Sokcho Fisheries Cooperative, the Channel Jigging Management Association, and the Yangmiri Set Net Association hold a joint New Year's resolution rally in the conference room on the 3rd floor of the fisheries cooperative on the 8th morning, apologizing for the recent controversy over the unkindness of the squid restaurant, which has been reported through YouTube. A video released by a YouTube channel in June shows an employee of the squid restaurant making rude comments to a female YouTuber who came to eat alone, sparking controversy./Courtesy of News1

On that day, the squid market merchants collectively issued an apology. The owner who caused the controversy read the apology, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the public for causing concern and to those who experienced inconvenience."

He added, "The merchants are seriously acknowledging the severity of the poor service issue and are reflecting deeply, and through this resolution meeting, we will conduct customer service training for all merchants and work to ensure that this does not happen again."

Kang Jeong-ho, a provincial councilor of Gangwon, who attended the resolution meeting, emphasized the role and importance of the squid market in regional tourism, urging the merchants to approach tourists with a friendly attitude.

Earlier, a restaurant in the squid market was embroiled in a poor service controversy following the release of a video on June 26 on a YouTube channel, where staff pressured customers to hurry their meal and suggested they move seats.

According to the video, a staff member told YouTuber A, after about 10 minutes since the squid sashimi was served, "Hey miss, can't you eat here (inside)?" Shortly after the squid was served, they said, "Come on in, are you going to eat there? Hurry up, it's been too long."

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