Received a Mini Moon Jar Prize but It Was a '6,500-Won Chinese Product'... Yeoju Ceramic Festival Controversy

Controversy Over Yeoju Ceramic Festival SNS Event Prizes
Chinese Ceramics Worth 6,500 Won Given as Gifts
Foundation and Agency Apologize, Promise to Prevent Recurrence

Controversy has arisen after it was revealed that low-cost ceramics made in China were given out as event prizes at the Yeoju Ceramic Festival. In response, the event organizers, Yeoju Sejong Cultural Tourism Foundation, and the marketing agency have issued an official apology.

Foundation: "Low-cost Chinese products as prizes... highly inappropriate"

Mini moon jar with a "Made in China" sticker attached. Thread

On May 27, Lee Sunyeol, Chairman of the Yeoju Sejong Cultural Tourism Foundation, released a statement, "We sincerely apologize for causing concern and disappointment to our citizens regarding the prizes for the 'Yeoju Ceramic Festival SNS Certification Shot Event.'"

The controversy began when it became known online that the inside of the mini moon jars sent to the winners of the 38th Yeoju Ceramic Festival SNS Certification Shot Event had a 'Made in China' label.

The organizers had originally announced that 20 visitors who posted photos of their visit to their personal social media accounts would be randomly selected to receive mini moon jars as prizes. However, one recipient complained, "This is an event under the name of the Yeoju Ceramic Festival, but I received a product with a 'Made in China' sticker."

According to the foundation, the event was managed by the marketing agency 'The Breeze,' which was responsible for planning, promotion, prize preparation, and notifying the winners. During this process, the agency purchased Chinese-made ceramic products, each valued at 6,500 won, from an online retailer. These products were sent to the winners without sufficient prior inspection, and the foundation only discovered this after the prizes had been distributed.

Chairman Lee emphasized, "It was highly inappropriate for low-priced Chinese products to be given as prizes at the event," and continued, "As the head of the institution overseeing the overall management and supervision of the festival, I once again deeply apologize to our citizens and visitors. I will do my utmost to ensure that such an incident does not happen again by paying closer attention to every detail."

Agency: "We lacked a sense of responsibility... we deeply reflect"

Yeoju Sejong Culture and Tourism Foundation Website

The Breeze also issued a separate apology, stating, "We deeply acknowledge that our operations fell short of the expectations of visitors and citizens who cherish the meaning of the Yeoju Ceramic Festival and participated in it."

The agency explained, "In the process of preparing prize items according to the event schedule, we sourced some products from external suppliers. During this process, we failed to check the country of origin and conduct product inspection procedures. As a result, some imported products that did not match the festival's character and expectations were provided as prizes."

The Breeze added, "Through this incident, we are reflecting not only on a simple operational mistake but also on our lack of understanding and sense of responsibility regarding the symbolism of the festival and the local culture." The agency pledged to immediately implement improvement measures, including: strengthening the pre-inspection system for the origin and quality of event prizes and items; restructuring the procedures for selecting partner vendors and verifying delivery; making final inspection mandatory before the event; and enhancing training for handling complaints both on-site and online to prevent recurrence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.