Jeju Island has been in turmoil since the high-profile disappearance of Jang Mi-ran, 37. Park, a 29-year-old company employee, canceled a planned one-night, two-day trip to Jeju Island on the 26th, which was scheduled to begin on the 29th. Park, who had previously traveled to Jeju Island alone four times, said, “I felt scared after hearing that the police had falsely closed the missing person case.” Although the plan was to visit areas with high foot traffic like Hamdeok Beach, the anxiety did not subside.
Since the case involving a police officer who falsely closed the missing person report came to light, news of bodies being successively discovered—including that of Jang—has led to a surge in cancellations of Jeju trips. Kim, a 28-year-old company employee living in Seoul, also canceled a hotel reservation and flight ticket to Jeju Island, which had been booked four to five months in advance, on the 25th. Kim said, “My husband and I had planned a three-night, four-day trip starting on September 6, but after reading articles about the disappearance case, I no longer felt like going, even if it meant paying a penalty.” Lee, a 23-year-old company employee from Goyang City, said, “My mother had planned a one-month stay in Jeju Island at the end of the year, but I showed her recent news and advised her against it.”
Social media (SNS) and online communities have been flooded with posts from people considering canceling their Jeju trips. Similar to the past ‘No Japan’ movement, heated debates have erupted over posts urging people to refrain from visiting Jeju Island. Opinions are divided: some argue that a specific region should not be collectively excluded due to crimes, while others insist that caution is necessary given the perceived decline in Jeju’s safety.
Jeju residents are also expressing anxiety. Kim Min-chan, 41, who runs a cafe on the island, said, “Foreigners often gather in villages, drink alcohol, and fight in groups based on nationality, causing residents to feel uneasy.” While such incidents involving foreigners causing disturbances were not uncommon, the recent disappearance case has amplified fears. Kim, 37, who operates a pension in Hallim-eup, Jeju, said, “Since news of the disappearance case broke, more than 10 cases of reservations have been canceled this week alone.”
- 월 5900원 멤버십, 신문 독자에게는 2900원, 조선멤버십
- 55000원 상당의 신문-잡지 8종 마음껏 보기, 조선멤버십
- 현금처럼 쓸 7000포인트 받아 알뜰한 쇼핑, 조선멤버십
Post a Comment