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  • Blue House Calls for North Korea to Cease Unnecessary Criticism and Work Towards Peaceful Coexistence
    Blue House Calls for North Korea to Cease Unnecessary Criticism and Work Towards Peaceful Coexistence The Blue House urged North Korea to "stop unnecessary slander against the South and move forward together towards peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula."A Blue House official made this statement on the 21st in response to a speech by Kim Yo-jong, deputy director of the North Korean Workers' Party, who criticized President Lee Jae-myung by name the previous night. The official noted that "derogatory remarks about our government and president do not help build mutual trust."The official emphasized that the government will consistently pursue a policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula based on mutual respect.Furthermore, the official stated, "As a party to peace on the Korean Peninsula, we will continue to maintain close cooperation with the United States and strive to resume dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. as a facilitator."Earlier, on the 20th, Kim criticized the reduction of U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, stating, "Due to a single remark from President Donald Trump, Seoul finds itself in the unfortunate position of having to withdraw from its favorite 'war games.'"She also accused President Lee of displaying "double standards" in his words and actions, reflecting South Korea's anxious and contradictory mindset.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 14:48:10
  • Kakao to split businesses in major AI restructuring
    Kakao to split businesses in major AI restructuring SEOUL, August 21 (AJP) - Kakao will split its key businesses into two entities, KakaoAI and KakaoX, in a major restructuring to strengthen its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and creating new growth engines, the South Korean messaging giant said on Friday. The decision was made at its board of directors' meeting the previous day, with the spinoff scheduled to be completed by Jan. 1 next year, after getting shareholder approval at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting slated for Dec. 17. Under the plan, KakaoAI will be created as a new entity in charge of its popular messenger app KakaoTalk and other AI-related services, while the current company will be renamed KakaoX and focus on investment and the development of future businesses. Kakao said the new entity, putting AI at its core, will introduce new AI-powered user experiences and revenue models, including advertising, agentic commerce and subscriptions, under the leadership of its CEO Chung Shin-a. KakaoAI has set a goal of reaching at least 20 million daily active users of its AI-related services by 2030. It also aims to increase the time users spend on KakaoTalk by more than 50 percent and achieve average annual revenue growth of about 20 percent, reaching more than 6 trillion won (US$4.3 billion) in revenue by 2030. KakaoX, meanwhile, will support the growth of major affiliates and seek new investment and business opportunities. It plans to raise about 2.3 trillion won by monetizing its assets and use another 4.1 trillion won in resources held by its subsidiaries. Through 2030, it aims to grow revenue from its major businesses by an average of 13.3 percent a year and lay the groundwork for annual revenue of more than 10 trillion won. Kim Do-young, who currently leads Kakao Investment and the company's investment strategy office, has been named to lead KakaoX. Under the proposed split, Kakao shareholders will receive shares in both companies in proportion to their existing holdings, with the split ratio set at 36 percent for KakaoAI and 64 percent for KakaoX. Kakao plans to relist KakaoAI while making changes to KakaoX's listing status on Jan. 27 next year. After Kakao announced its split plans, its shares were trading at around 35,000 won in the early afternoon, down about 3,000 won or nearly 9 percent from the previous session after falling as low as 33,600 won earlier in the day. AJP Takeaways • Kakao will split its key businesses into KakaoAI and KakaoX, with the spinoff scheduled for completion on Jan. 1, 2027, subject to shareholder approval on Dec. 17, 2026. • KakaoAI will oversee KakaoTalk and AI-related services, with plans for AI-powered advertising, agentic commerce and subscription services under CEO Chung Shin-a. • KakaoAI aims to reach at least 20 million daily active AI users and generate more than 6 trillion won in annual revenue by 2030, while increasing time spent on KakaoTalk by more than 50 percent. • KakaoX will focus on investments and new businesses, planning to raise about 2.3 trillion won through asset monetization and use about 4.1 trillion won in resources held by subsidiaries. • Kakao shares fell nearly 9 percent after the split announcement, trading around 35,000 won in the early afternoon on Aug. 21, 2026, after hitting an intraday low of 33,600 won. 2026-08-21 14:44:22
  • K-Beautys Global Expansion Requires Innovation for Sustainable Growth
    K-Beauty's Global Expansion Requires Innovation for Sustainable Growth K-content is increasingly becoming a part of daily life around the world, and K-Beauty is rapidly expanding its reach. South Korean cosmetics, which have primarily grown in Asia, are now entering major distribution networks and online platforms in the United States and Europe, emerging as a mainstream player in the global market. The interest in Korean culture, which began with dramas, music, and food, has translated into cosmetics consumption, establishing K-Beauty as a leading beneficiary of the Korean Wave and a new export driver.The competitiveness of South Korean cosmetics is evident. The ability to quickly adapt to changing consumer preferences and reflect them in products, while providing high quality at reasonable prices, has garnered high praise in the global market. The combination of the creative planning of small and medium-sized brands with the technological prowess of contract manufacturers is a unique strength of K-Beauty. The spread of organic word-of-mouth through social media has also encouraged a diverse range of small brands to join the export structure, which was previously dominated by large corporations.However, it is difficult to guarantee that the current growth trend will continue without effort. The global cosmetics market is characterized by rapid changes in trends and fierce competition. Relying solely on the popularity of the Korean Wave for sales expansion makes it challenging to maintain long-term consumer loyalty. The past experience of high dependence on the Chinese market, which turned into a burden for the industry amid diplomatic conflicts and changes in the consumer environment, should not be forgotten. A crucial task, as important as expanding market boundaries, is to deepen and solidify the foundation of competitiveness.Above all, continuous investment in research and development (R&D) is essential. As cosmetics increasingly combine dermatological science, biotechnology, and new material technologies, the added value of products and barriers to entry rise. Customized products tailored to skin conditions, scientifically validated functional ingredients, eco-friendly raw materials and packaging, and AI-assisted skin diagnostics are areas that will shape the competitive landscape in the global market. Simply following trends or quickly launching similar products will not suffice to close the gap with global brands.This is why domestic cosmetics companies must focus on R&D investment. Securing unique raw materials, formulations, and patented technologies is necessary to transition from price competition to technological competition. Particularly, overseas consumers meticulously scrutinize the efficacy and safety of products. Strengthening clinical data and quality management systems, as well as proactively responding to country-specific regulations, are as important as R&D investment.The product structure, which is currently focused on skincare, also needs to change. While skincare products are the starting point and core competitiveness of K-Beauty, over-reliance on a specific area can make it vulnerable to market changes. In the global cosmetics market, color cosmetics are a crucial area for expressing brand identity and expanding consumer touchpoints. Developing a wide range of shades that cater to diverse skin tones and characteristics, as well as formulations that align with local aesthetic preferences and lifestyles, is necessary. If brands that have gained trust through skincare expand their product lines to include color cosmetics, hair care, fragrances, and body care, their growth foundation will also broaden.The government should not only celebrate K-Beauty's growth in terms of export performance. It must expand R&D support to enable small and medium-sized enterprises to develop unique materials and technologies, systematically back overseas licensing, safety verification, and intellectual property protection. Providing information on country-specific regulations and establishing a collaborative foundation to support clinical trials and market entry are also necessary. While reforming unreasonable regulations to allow companies to test new products and technologies, strict management of quality and safety in line with global standards is essential.For K-Beauty to avoid being a temporary trend reliant on the popularity of the Korean Wave, it must prepare for the next stage now. It should enhance product depth through technological prowess and broaden its competitiveness beyond skincare into color cosmetics and various fields. The ability to convert the interest gained in the global market into sustained trust ultimately stems from R&D and innovation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 14:44:00
  • Government Aims for 40 Million Foreign Tourists, But Where Will They Stay?
    Government Aims for 40 Million Foreign Tourists, But Where Will They Stay? The government has announced its goal of attracting 40 million foreign tourists, significantly raising its initial target of 30 million. Plans include constructing large arenas and hosting massive festivals to draw more visitors to South Korea. However, as the target for tourist numbers rises, there is little clarity on how to secure accommodations for these visitors.Next December, the Seoul Arena in Changdong and KINTEX in Goyang will host the inaugural K-culture festival, 'FANOMENON.' This event, akin to a Korean version of Coachella, will feature K-pop concerts, award ceremonies, and showcases of film, drama, gaming, webtoons, fashion, and beauty. The Cultural Exchange Committee anticipates that 520,000 attendees, including 200,000 foreign tourists, will generate over 1 trillion won in economic impact. The 18,269-seat Seoul Arena is also set to open next year.Looking at the trend of increasing foreign visitors, the outlook is not merely optimistic. In the first half of this year, 10.71 million foreign tourists visited South Korea, a 21.3% increase compared to the same period last year. In June alone, 1.99 million people traveled to Korea. Following last year's record of 18.94 million visitors, the growth trend continues.The challenge lies in accommodating these tourists.Concerns about the supply of accommodation have emerged. The Board of Audit and Inspection pointed out deficiencies in the accommodation supply analysis conducted by some local governments during a regular audit of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism last year. The Seoul city government calculated the growth rate of available rooms at 1%, instead of the 4.79% increase in the number of businesses, and the ministry approved this without proper verification, according to the audit.Forecasts from the Seoul city government and the ministry differ. The city predicts that there will be enough accommodation for foreign visitors by 2026, while the ministry believes there will be a shortage. The audit recalculated the figures, indicating that if foreign visitors reach 19.11 million, there will be a shortfall of hotel rooms in Seoul. Given that last year's visitor count was already 18.94 million, the need for expanding accommodation cannot be delayed any longer.In response, the Seoul city government is taking steps to increase hotel supply. It has designated 63 areas, including major hubs like Myeongdong, as tourism accommodation zones and plans to relax floor area ratio regulations for qualifying facilities by up to 1.3 times. In general commercial areas, the floor area ratio could be increased from 800% to a maximum of 1,040%.Policies are also in place to encourage tourists to visit regional areas. The strategy includes expanding international routes from regional airports and creating a 'Golden Route' for inbound tourism. In the first half of this year, the number of foreign visitors arriving at regional airports reached approximately 1.96 million, a 42.1% increase compared to the same period last year, significantly outpacing the 17.3% growth rate at metropolitan airports. The regional visitation rate for foreign tourists in the second quarter also rose to 34.2%, an increase of 2.8 percentage points from the previous year.Distributing tourists to regional areas is essential. Attracting 40 million visitors concentrated in Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Seongsu-dong will not foster a true tourism powerhouse or invigorate local tourism. However, simply dispersing tourists will not resolve Seoul's accommodation issues, as the city remains a key destination for first-time visitors.Many large cultural events, including FANOMENON and K-pop concerts, are also concentrated in the metropolitan area. Yet, building hotels indiscriminately is not a solution. The process of acquiring land, obtaining permits, and constructing hotels can take years, making it difficult to meet the rapidly increasing demand for tourism. This highlights the need to adapt the shared accommodation system to current realities.The current foreign tourist city lodging business allows urban residents to offer accommodation services to foreign tourists in their homes. As of May, there were over 9,800 such establishments nationwide, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Recently, the government has initiated a plan to require mandatory disaster liability insurance, which compensates up to 150 million won per person for injuries and up to 1 billion won for property damage in the event of fires, explosions, or collapses, to enhance safety measures.This does not mean opening the floodgates without restrictions. Noise, littering, and parking issues in residential areas must be strictly controlled, and establishments that do not meet safety standards for fire and evacuation must be rigorously managed. Fairness with existing hotels, which bear taxes and various regulations, must also be maintained.The key is to manage and utilize accommodations properly within the regulatory framework. Clear standards for business registration, safety facilities, insurance coverage, tax payments, and resident conflict resolution must be established, allowing compliant accommodations to serve as lodging for tourists. Illegal accommodations should be strictly regulated, but there is no need to confine compliant establishments within outdated regulatory frameworks.Attracting tourists is not the entirety of tourism policy. Equally important is where they stay and how comfortably they travel. To turn the goal of 40 million tourists into reality, the necessary accommodation infrastructure must be established to match this target.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 14:44:00
  • Bitcoin Surpasses $70,000, Boosting Cryptocurrency Stocks Including Wooree Technology Investment
    Bitcoin Surpasses $70,000, Boosting Cryptocurrency Stocks Including Wooree Technology Investment Bitcoin's price has surpassed $72,000, leading to a surge in cryptocurrency-related stocks, including Wooree Technology Investment.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 2:15 PM, Wooree Technology Investment was trading at 6,020 won, up 1,085 won (21.99%) from the previous trading day. Wooree Technology Investment is a major shareholder, holding approximately 7.20% of Dunamu, which operates South Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit.At the same time, Parataxis Ethereum, which operates a digital asset treasury business based on Ethereum, saw its stock rise by 29.96%, hitting the upper limit. Other stocks also experienced gains, including Galaxia Money Tree (19.56%), Bit Planet (10.64%), WIZIT (5.12%), and Bitmax (4.98%).The sharp increase in Bitcoin's price has sparked optimism about a recovery in the cryptocurrency market, which is reflected in the performance of related stocks.On August 20, according to the U.S. cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, Bitcoin's price was recorded at $72,812, up approximately 6.2% from 24 hours earlier. Compared to a week ago, it has risen by more than 15%.This rise in Bitcoin's price is believed to be influenced by the macroeconomic environment and expectations regarding U.S. cryptocurrency policy.The U.S. Treasury Department announced the previous day that it would at least double the size of its Treasury buyback program to stabilize financial markets, leading to a decline in long-term bond yields and a drop in the value of the dollar. This has resulted in increased investment in risk assets, including Bitcoin.Additionally, President Donald Trump summoned Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and others to the White House to pressure Congress for the passage of the 'Clarity Act,' a bill aimed at structuring the cryptocurrency market, further stimulating investor sentiment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 14:40:00
  • Kia Union Plans Partial Strike, Ending Five-Year Streak Without Disputes
    Kia Union Plans Partial Strike, Ending Five-Year Streak Without Disputes As the Hyundai Motor Company union embarks on a full strike for the first time in a decade, the Kia union is also set to initiate a partial strike.According to industry sources on August 21, the Kia union held a strike committee meeting and resolved to conduct a partial strike from August 26 to 28, with work shifts participating for 2 to 4 hours each day.A union official stated, "While the exact timing has not been determined, it appears that there will be another process to gather opinions from union members before the partial strike begins."If Kia proceeds with the strike, it will break the five-year streak of no disputes that the company has maintained since 2021.Previously, the union demanded a wage increase of 149,600 won, a performance bonus equivalent to 30% of last year's operating profit, the implementation of a 4.5-day workweek, and an extension of the retirement age to 65.In response, the company presented a wage proposal during the 10th round of negotiations on August 19, which included a basic wage increase of 98,000 won, a performance bonus of 400% plus 12 million won, and a 200,000 won increase in long-term service incentives.Additionally, the proposal included a provision for a welfare point bonus of 500,000 points if this year's maximum production and sales targets are met, as well as an increase in allowances for employees at Hyundai and Kia's Namyang Technology Research Center to 35,000 won.Meanwhile, the Hyundai Motor Company union began an eight-hour full strike on the same day, marking its first full strike since collective bargaining in 2016.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 14:36:00
  • KAIST finds molecular lock that traps cells in cancer-like states
    KAIST finds molecular lock that traps cells in cancer-like states SEOUL, August 21 (AJP) - A cell that turns cancer-like tends to stay that way long after whatever triggered the change has gone. Researchers in South Korea say they have identified which molecular circuits hold it there and have shown in computer models how to release them. The method is called ROOT, short for Revelation Of the Original circuit of irreversible Transition. It was developed by a team led by Cho Kwang-hyun, a professor in the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and published online Aug. 18 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The university announced the work Friday. Cells constantly change their properties and functions in response to signals from outside. Sometimes the change reverses when the signal stops. Sometimes it does not. Biologists call that second case irreversibility. An ordinary switch springs back when the finger comes off it. Some cellular switches stay on. The molecules that drove the original change keep activating one another after the outside signal has vanished, and the new state holds. That property is not a defect. Cells rely on it to become and remain specialized, which is why a liver cell stays a liver cell. It also drives disease. In epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cells that normally sit fixed in a tissue layer acquire the ability to detach, move and invade what surrounds them. Cancer uses that transition to spread, and once a tumor cell has made it, the cell does not go back. The obstacle has been sorting out which circuits do the holding. A cell's molecular network contains thousands of positive feedback loops, arrangements in which one molecule activates another that in turn reactivates the first. Only some of them lock a cell into a state it cannot leave, and there was no way to tell which. ROOT represents those interactions as a computational logic model and simulates the full arc of a stimulus arriving and then being withdrawn. Circuits that keep the cell in its altered state after withdrawal are flagged. The team calls the resulting set an irreversibility kernel. The team compares the exercise to picking out, from thousands of tangled wires, the few that are actually keeping a door locked. Finding the lock suggested two ways to work on it. The first, resetting control, leaves the cell's capacity for irreversible change intact and returns the individual cell to its earlier state, the equivalent of opening the door without touching the lock. The second, reversing control, removes the source of irreversibility altogether, so the cell can move between states more freely afterward. The researchers ran ROOT on B cell differentiation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lung cancer, and the development of enterocytes and beta cells, the intestinal absorptive cells and the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, using data on which genes are switched on in individual cells. In each case the circuits ROOT identified matched regulators already known from earlier laboratory work to govern those transitions. Nothing in the study reversed a cell in a laboratory. The work is computational throughout, tested against networks built from published experimental data, and the applications to cancer and aging that the university describes are prospective rather than demonstrated. What the study offers, KAIST said, is an answer to a question that precedes treatment. Not how to bring a cell back, but why it cannot come back by itself. Kim Jong-wan and Jang Seong-hoon were co-first authors. Lee Jong-hoon and doctoral student Corbin Hopper were co-authors. The work was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Korea Dementia Research Center. "The core of this study is that we identified the circuits that make a cell unable to return once it has changed, and developed a technology that controls them to bring the cell back to its previous state," Cho said. 2026-08-21 14:34:02
  • National Assemblys Legislative Committee Demands Chief Justice Jo Hee-daes Attendance
    National Assembly's Legislative Committee Demands Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae's Attendance The National Assembly's Legislative Committee has approved a demand for Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae to attend a session on the 31st, led by the ruling party. This move comes after Jo failed to respond to a previous request on the 19th, prompting renewed pressure.During a full committee meeting on the 21st, the Legislative Committee passed a resolution requiring both Chief Justice Jo and Administrative Office of the Courts Director Noh Kyung-pil to appear as witnesses. They are mandated to attend the session scheduled for the 31st.Previously, Chief Justice Jo had recommended the appointments of judges Son Bong-ki and Kim Sung-soo to President Lee Jae-myung as successors to former Justices Roh Tae-ack and Lee Heung-gu. This process sparked controversy as Jo broke with the traditional practice of making in-person reports to the Blue House, opting instead for a written recommendation. The Democratic Party has raised concerns about this deviation from established protocol.The dispute over the written recommendation method has intensified, with the Democratic Party calling for Jo's resignation and suggesting the possibility of impeachment. In response, the People Power Party has accused the opposition of attempting to seize control of the judiciary, labeling it an 'unprecedented outrage' in the nation's constitutional history.Legislative Committee Chair Seo Young-kyo explained that the demand for witness attendance is related to issues such as violations of citizens' basic rights due to delays in Supreme Court rulings, the process of recommending Supreme Court candidates after a prolonged vacancy, and the undermining of expedited trials as mandated by the Special Prosecutor Act in the Kim Geon-hee case. The People Power Party protested against Chair Seo, accusing her of 'legislative dictatorship' and subsequently left the meeting, boycotting the vote.This marks the second time the Legislative Committee has demanded Chief Justice Jo's attendance following the written recommendation. A similar resolution was passed on the 19th, but Jo did not attend. According to the National Assembly Act, the National Assembly or its committees can require the attendance of the Chief Justice, the Constitutional Court Chief Justice, the Chairperson of the National Election Commission, the Auditor General, or their representatives for inquiries on specific matters. 2026-08-21 14:32:00
  • Over 2,300 Apply for Special Appointments at New Serious Crimes Investigation Agency
    Over 2,300 Apply for Special Appointments at New Serious Crimes Investigation Agency More than 2,300 applicants, including prosecutors and investigators, have applied for special appointments at the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA), which is set to launch on October 2.According to the legal community on August 21, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's SCIA preparation team reported that a total of 2,375 applications were submitted between August 7 and 6 p.m. on August 20. This number represents 82.6% of the agency's total authorized personnel of 2,874.Notably, there was a significant interest from 6th to 9th grade investigators, particularly those in the 8th and 9th grades (judicial police), whose application rates reached 120% to 150% of their quotas, indicating fierce competition. Additionally, about 80% of the 6th and 7th grade investigators have also applied.Over 100 current prosecutors have reportedly submitted applications. Initially, only 30 to 40 prosecutors had applied by the deadline, but a surge of applications came in just before the closing time. Most applicants were senior prosecutors from the 36th and 37th classes of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, as well as deputy chief prosecutors with over ten years of legal experience. In contrast, around 30 to 40 applications came from prosecutors with less than ten years of experience.Notable applicants include Im Eun-jung, head of the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, recognized as a reformist within the prosecution, and Moon Ji-seok, a senior prosecutor at Suwon High Prosecutors' Office, who raised allegations regarding the 'Coupang investigation cover-up.'Additionally, many prosecutors who have worked in the Special Investigation Team for the National Security Act and the Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Team have also applied. Prosecutors moving to the SCIA will be appointed according to their previous positions and experience: district chief prosecutors will be classified as level 1, deputy chief and senior prosecutors as level 2, those with over ten years of experience as level 3, and those with less than ten years as level 4.The legal community has reacted with surprise to the application results. Initially, there was a cold atmosphere within the prosecution regarding the transition to the SCIA, as attendance at the SCIA information sessions was low, and many prosecutors were reportedly unaware that the sessions were taking place.However, some analysts suggest that the opportunity to lead investigation teams at the SCIA while maintaining investigative experience, along with considerations for post-retirement legal practice, contributed to the last-minute surge in applications.The preparation team plans to evaluate applicants based on their preferred work locations and expertise to select the final appointees in September, with official appointments scheduled to coincide with the agency's launch on October 2.Any unfilled positions from this special appointment process will be addressed through additional special appointments linked to the reduction of prosecution personnel following the confirmation of the Public Prosecution Service's structure, or through competitive recruitment targeting police officers, lawyers, accountants, and cyber and financial experts.The SCIA is a newly established investigative agency under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, created to separate investigation and prosecution functions within the criminal justice system. It will focus on investigating seven major crimes, including corruption, economic offenses, defense industry issues, drug-related crimes, national security, cybercrime, and legal distortion. In contrast, the Public Prosecution Service will handle only prosecution-related tasks, excluding investigative duties. 2026-08-21 14:20:20
  • Water Park Food Prices Spark Outrage Over Tteokbokki Set
    Water Park Food Prices Spark Outrage Over Tteokbokki Set Debate is raging online over the price and portion size of a tteokbokki set sold at a water park in Gyeonggi Province.At the center of the controversy is a 16,000 won ($13) 'cheese stick and tteokbokki set.' Photos shared online show two long rice cakes, two fish cake skewers, and one cheese stick served in a bowl. As the images circulated on social media, many reacted, questioning, "Isn't that too expensive, even for a water park?"The uproar began on August 7 when a user, identified as A, shared their experience visiting the water park with their children. A stated that while enjoying the water attractions, they browsed the menu at an on-site restaurant and decided to order the tteokbokki set for 16,000 won.Although the price was significantly higher than that of a typical snack shop, A explained that they accepted the higher cost due to the unique setting of the water park. The issue arose when they received the actual food.A's posted photo revealed the two long rice cakes, two fish cakes on skewers, and one square cheese stick. A expressed dissatisfaction, noting a significant difference between the menu photo and the food they received.As the post gained traction, online comments began to criticize not only the price but also the portion size and presentation of the food.Users commented, "I know food at amusement parks and water parks is usually expensive, but I would be surprised by this presentation," and "Regardless of the price, the food looks poorly prepared for customers." Others suggested that if the rice cakes had been cut and served with vegetables, the controversy might not have escalated to this extent.Given that water parks often attract families, some pointed out that the financial burden is even greater. Parents with multiple children can face significant costs just for meals and snacks.Some users shared similar experiences. One commenter, who also visited the same water park, reported dissatisfaction with a 9,500 won ($7.50) udon dish, stating it was not worth the price.The situation intensified when it was revealed that the facility prohibits bringing in outside food and beverages. This restriction means consumers are more likely to choose from the food sold inside, raising concerns about the price and quality being justifiable.One user remarked, "If outside food were allowed, I could choose not to buy expensive items, but if I have to rely on the food inside, the situation changes."On the other hand, some argued that since the price was clearly displayed, it was ultimately a matter of consumer choice. Some stated, "Since I confirmed the price of 16,000 won before ordering, it’s hard to criticize the establishment just for being expensive," and "We should consider that vendors in water parks may face higher rent and sales fees than regular shops." Others noted, "If you think it’s too expensive, you can choose not to buy it," echoing sentiments from related reports that suggested, "If it’s too expensive, just don’t buy it."A few days later, a YouTuber reignited the debate by calculating the cost of ingredients. The YouTuber, known as ZeroB, who has around 980,000 subscribers, posted a video on August 16 where they recreated the controversial tteokbokki set as closely as possible to the original photo and calculated the ingredient costs.ZeroB estimated the cost of the tteokbokki ingredients, including rice cakes and sauce, at about 537 won ($0.45), the fish cake skewers at approximately 873 won ($0.75), and the cheese stick at around 973 won ($0.85). The total ingredient cost was about 2,419 won ($2), which means the ingredient cost ratio based on the selling price of 16,000 won is about 15.1%.ZeroB acknowledged that the visible ingredient cost ratio is somewhat low but explained that due to the unique market conditions of water parks, vendors might incur sales fees of 20-40%, making it difficult to achieve a 30% ingredient cost ratio like typical shops.Ultimately, the most significant criticism online focused not just on the ingredient cost but whether the food's quantity and quality met consumer expectations for the 16,000 won price tag.Users commented, "The percentage of ingredient cost isn’t the main issue," and "While I understand the high rent and labor costs, consumers also expect satisfaction that matches the price they pay." Others suggested that even a slight increase in portion size or an improvement in presentation could have prevented the issue from becoming such a hot topic.In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the 16,000 won tteokbokki set highlights not just whether the price is legally considered high or low, but rather how consumers perceive the value they receive for the price paid. One thing is clear: when evaluating a dish, consumers consider more than just the cost of ingredients. They assess the price, portion size, taste, service, and the unique context of the location to determine whether the meal was worth the expense.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 14:20:00