More than 100 customers of a youth educational travel specialist that halted operations after a police search and seizure on suspicion of violating the National Security Act are set to file a group criminal complaint. The company says operations have been paralyzed by the police investigation, making refunds difficult, but customers plan to ask investigators to look into how their advance payments for trips were used, saying refund delays had been recurring even before the search and seizure.
According to legal sources on the 9th, 104 customers of youth educational travel specialist Company A have recently retained an attorney and are preparing a criminal complaint against the firm. Customers believe there may be fraud or embezzlement in connection with Company A selling travel products departing one to two years later at a discount and then failing to refund the advance payments.
Company A announced on the 5th of last month that it was suspending operations and either ending early or canceling the operation of about 10 travel products. It was the day after police, who are currently investigating a National Security Act violation case, searched and seized the company.
Company A argues that the police investigation has effectively paralyzed its work, making normal operations difficult. It notified booked customers that it plans to normalize operations in two years and that refunds and the resumption of travel will be possible in stages starting in Aug. 2028.
However, customers say the refund problem dates back to before the police search and seizure. By their own tally, instances of unfulfilled refunds began in March 2024. Some also say that when they requested refunds, they were encouraged to switch to other travel products.
The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) has for years received refund-related consultations and relief applications regarding Company A and travel agencies that share the same address as Company A or have some overlapping senior executives. Related filings totaled 24 in 2022, 46 in 2023, and 23 in 2024, and increased to 122 last year.
Customers in particular say the damage grew because many had paid in advance under the condition of receiving high discounts for products departing far in the future. Although trips were canceled, refund dates were pushed back two years, tying up amounts ranging from several million won to far more for an extended period.
Customer B (43), who joined the group complaint, said, "Even now, some travel agencies believed to be linked to Company A are operating and recruiting customers," and added, "To prevent further damage, we will proceed with a criminal complaint and also pursue civil suits for each victim."
Separately from the criminal complaint, more than 1,600 people have joined a group chat for victims created by Company A's customers.
Company A is also under police investigation on suspicion of violating the National Security Act. In June, police referred nine former and current officials of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) to prosecutors on National Security Act charges, and during the investigation they have reportedly been examining possible links with Company A's management.