50인 이상 결혼식 금지에 예비부부와 예식장 울상... 해결책은 어디에?<br /><br />The recent raising of social distancing measures to level two on the three-tier system means indoor gatherings of 50 or more people are forbidden with limits placed on events such as weddings here in Korea.<br />Heartbroken couples and struggling wedding halls have been left fighting over who should foot the bill for all the cancelled ceremonies.<br />Kim Yeon-seung has the story.<br />31-year-old Lee Kyong-yong has a wedding scheduled for this month.<br />It was meant to be the happiest day of his life.<br />But with COVID-19 prevention measures limiting wedding guests to under 50 people... just a week before the ceremony, all of his plans are in tatters.<br />"A wedding should be surrounded by many blessings. My bride-to-be is also heartbroken that the ceremony has to be held with less than 50 people."<br />He had to slash three-quarters of his guests from the list, but the wedding venue told him that he still has to pay for the meals of 150 guests.<br />As a result, he stands to lose 4-thousand-2-hundred U.S. dollars.<br />From August 14th to 21st, consumers reported 8-hundred-38 cases of unfair treatment from wedding venues.<br />Many of their stories are similar to Lee's.<br />Wedding halls are refusing refunds or demanding cancellation fees.<br />But it's hard to pin the blame on the wedding halls.<br />They're also struggling to keep their businesses afloat with couples cancelling left and right.<br />In this deadlock between consumers and businesses, some organizations are trying to mediate the issue.<br />Gyeonggi-do Province consumer center is one of them.<br />"First we receive complaints through the consumer center. And then Gyeonggi-do Province consumer center proactively steps in to reach an agreement."<br />The Central Association of Weddings also came up with ways to help consumers.<br />They are advising their members to reduce cancellation fees and allow weddings to be postponed.<br />Seoul city has also set up a counseling center to resolve conflicts between couples and wedding halls.<br />But despite these efforts, many couples are still unable to find a solution after having to cancel their big day.<br />Kim Yeon-seung, Arirang news<br />
