Shilla Hotel canceled some wedding schedules slated for early November, prompting backlash from engaged couples and the families of the bride and groom. The reason for the cancellation was said to be a "state event." This has led to speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) may hold a summit in Seoul.
According to the hotel industry on the 22nd, Shilla Hotel recently notified some bookers that "a state event is scheduled for early November, and we are inevitably guiding you to change your reservation," informing them that their wedding schedules were canceled.
With less than two months left before the weddings, engaged couples and the families of the bride and groom are taken aback. One bride-to-be said on social media (SNS), "The wedding was scheduled for Nov. 2, but I received a sudden call from the hotel about the cancellation," adding, "I learned the news with fewer than 50 days left until the ceremony and am at a loss."
With many wedding halls having closed during the COVID period and the number of marriages recently increasing, wedding halls in the Seoul metropolitan area are being booked a year in advance. Popular venues require preparations starting a year and six months ahead. If a wedding hall reservation is suddenly canceled, the date could be pushed back by more than a year.
Round-trip flights and accommodations for the booked honeymoon destination, as well as studio, dress, and makeup (Sdeume) reservations, also have to be changed. Penalty fees may occur in the process.
Hotel Shilla did not disclose what the state event was that prompted the wedding cancellations. However, there is analysis that it may be related to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit set to be held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.
Trump and Xi are scheduled to attend this APEC summit. If their summit is held in Seoul rather than Gyeongju, they could use Shilla Hotel.
In the past, U.S. presidents mainly used the Hyatt Hotel when visiting Korea. Trump visited the Seoul Hyatt Hotel in November 2017 and June 2019. Former President Barack Obama in 2009 and 2014 and President Joe Biden in 2022 also stayed at the Hyatt Hotel.
Chinese leaders are known to frequently use Shilla Hotel. Xi used Shilla Hotel during his 2014 visit to Korea.