The operator of the Yeouido Hangang Park swimming pool in Seoul sold products saying people could watch the World Fireworks Festival, but it turned out the contract period ends before the festival takes place. The Seoul city government said the company sold fireworks-viewing products for an unapproved period and moved to demand refunds.
According to the Seoul city government on the 25th, Company A, which operates the Hangang Park swimming pool, recently sold a "World Fireworks Festival package" for 29,000 to 34,000 won per person. Company A promoted the product with the phrase, "Watch in the most comfortable space at the most affordable expense at the Hangang swimming pool."
However, the pool operation period that Company A contracted with the Seoul city government runs until the 30th. This year's World Fireworks Festival is scheduled for Oct. 5. Under the current contract, the pool operation will already have ended when the festival is held.
Company A said it had been in talks with the Seoul city government to extend the operation period. The city, however, said the company refused to pay additional fees for the extension, so it did not grant approval. The point is that the company sold the products without approval for an extension or for viewing the fireworks festival.
The Future Hangang Headquarters of the Seoul city government said, "We did not approve an extension of the Hangang Park swimming pool operation period," adding, "We also did not approve watching the fireworks festival from inside the pool, but the company went ahead and took reservations without permission."
Sales of the product have now been halted. A representative of Company A said, "Most of the 5,000 to 6,000 tickets were sold, but the event is now facing cancellation."
Some buyers have moved to request refunds. Company A notified customers that refunds could take up to one month to process. Ms. B, who bought the product the day before, said, "I applied for a refund right away," adding, "I had expected to be able to see the fireworks festival with my own eyes, so this is bewildering."
The controversy grew as a text message Company A sent to buyers led to civil complaints to the Seoul city government. In the text, Company A said, "Because of delays in administrative processing, approval still hasn't come through with just a week left until September, causing setbacks in preparations to operate during the World Fireworks Festival," adding, "Urging the department in charge directly is the most effective."
The Seoul city government believes the text message could cause misunderstanding, as if the extension of the company's operation were delayed because of the city's slow approval.
An official at the Future Hangang Headquarters of the Seoul city government said, "Because of this absurd text message, related complaint calls are continuing," adding, "We will keep a close eye on whether refunds are actually being processed properly."