Wedding Venue Cancellation Penalties on Engaged Couples?... Gyeonggi Province Opens One-Stop Support System

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hoon, Reporter] Mr. A (Ansan City), a prospective groom with less than a month until his wedding, recently inquired with a wedding venue whether he could reduce the originally contracted number of guests from 300 to 50 in response to the strengthening of social distancing level 2. Mr. A was told he would need to pay 40% as a penalty for the meal costs of 250 people.

Consumer B (Pyeongtaek City), whose wedding is this coming weekend, decided to split the ceremony into two halls with 50 people each due to the strengthening of social distancing measures. When Ms. B inquired about costs with the wedding venue, stating that gift items would be provided instead of meals, she was told she still needs to cover meal costs for 75 people.

It has been found that damage consultations from engaged couples continue as social distancing level 2 has been strengthened due to the spread of COVID-19.

According to an investigation by Gyeonggi Province on the 24th, the total number of consumer consultations related to wedding venues registered at the 1372 Consumer Counseling Center this year is 5,350 cases, of which 1,956 cases are from Gyeonggi Province residents, accounting for 36.6%.

Looking at the monthly consultation trends, wedding venue-related consultations, which numbered 60 in January, increased to 563 cases in February when COVID-19 began spreading, and 447 cases in March, then decreased to around 150 cases after April. However, as COVID-19 resurges mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, as of the 20th of August alone, 318 consultations have been received, showing a significant increase.

In response, the province has decided to reoperate a one-stop support system through the Gyeonggi Consumer Information Center starting from the 24th to resolve consumer disputes related to wedding venues. Previously, the province operated such a system in March for resolving consumer disputes related to wedding venues.

Through efforts by the Fair Trade Commission, the Ceremony Industry Association agreed to allow free postponements within six months; however, since member companies account for only 30% of all ceremony businesses, the province recognizes that its active mediation role is necessary for disputes with non-member wedding venues.

When a consumer requests dispute resolution from the Gyeonggi Consumer Information Center, they can receive first-stage damage handling and mediation through the consultation center. If the matter is not resolved through mediation, Gyeonggi Province will directly file for adjustment with the Consumer Dispute Resolution Committee, and adjustment will be provided through the Gyeonggi Adjustment Division meeting held once a month.

The application targets are Gyeonggi Province residents who have concluded contracts with wedding venues located within Gyeonggi Province. Consumers wishing to apply can submit their wedding contracts and details of damages to the Consumer Information Center by calling 031-251-9898.

Lee Yong-su, Director of the Fair Trade Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, said, "We understand that ceremony business operators are also facing significant management difficulties due to COVID-19. However, given the grave situation of overcoming the infectious disease crisis, it is not fair to place responsibility solely on consumers when the situation is not attributable to the consumer's fault, and this needs to be improved."