Han River pool operator sold unauthorized fireworks festival packages, leaving buyers stranded

A dispute has erupted between the private operator of the Yeouido Hangang Park pool and the Seoul Metropolitan Government ahead of this year's Seoul International Fireworks Festival on Sept. 5. The pool operator extended its booking period through the festival date and began selling packages — bundling admission with food and drinks — but the city's Future Han River Bureau said it had authorized neither the extended operation nor fireworks viewing at the pool.

The trouble began when the operator started selling paid packages online targeting the fireworks festival, advertising that guests could watch the show from sun loungers inside the pool grounds and that each person was required to hold a ticket for entry. The products sold were a snack set at 29,000 won ($21), a ramyun set at 29,000 won, a chimaek set at 34,000 won and a samgyeopsal set at 34,000 won. Each package included pool admission along with food and a beverage. Some products that included sun lounger access sold out.

The Future Han River Bureau said the operator has no authority to run the pool from September onward — operations are scheduled to end Sunday. The bureau said the operator put the packages on sale without any prior discussion, even though its operating rights expire at the end of this month.

The Yeouido Hangang Park pool is run by a private company under a contract with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. While the contractor handles pool operations and facility management, the bureau said that arrangement does not give the operator free rein to sell separate products on the premises.

"The extended operation of the Hangang Park pool that has been circulating online is something we have not authorized," the Future Han River Bureau said in a public notice. "Fireworks festival viewing at the Yeouido pool on Sept. 5 has also not been approved — the pool operator proceeded with reservations without permission." The bureau added that the pool is scheduled to close normally on Sunday, and that accepting tickets during a period when the operator has no operating authority "is a clear illegal act."

The operator pushed back, sending a text message to buyers claiming it had been preparing for a September extension "at the request of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Future Han River Bureau" and had been in discussions with park facilities since Aug. 8. It said approval had not come through despite the bureau's own request, causing delays with the festival just a week away.

The Future Han River Bureau drew a line at that account. "It is not true that we held seven rounds of consultations," it said, adding that while it had received an email requesting a review of extended operations, no formal consultations had taken place.

According to the bureau, the operator submitted documents for extended operations through Sept. 13, but the paperwork was incomplete and required supplementation. While the bureau was still reviewing the submission, the operator uploaded the fireworks festival packages to its reservation system.

The bureau also said that even if extended operations had been approved, selling fireworks viewing packages would have required a separate process. "Extended operations and product sales are two different matters," a bureau official said. "The operator would need to submit materials showing the items for sale and their prices so we can assess appropriateness, and obtain a separate review and approval."

In fact, while the packages that went on sale included food and beverages, the documents the operator submitted for the extended-operations review contained no mention of such products at all, the bureau said.

Customers who had already bought packages expressed frustration at the sudden turn of events. "This was the first event of its kind at the Han River pool, so I booked with high hopes," one buyer said. "I gave up reservations elsewhere to secure this spot, and now I'm being told this just a week before the festival — I'm completely caught off guard."

Particular anger has been directed at the operator's decision to ask buyers to file complaints with the city urging approval of the extended operations. Customers said they had paid for what they believed was a legitimately sold product, only to find themselves being asked to verify administrative approvals and lodge complaints on the operator's behalf.

"If this package hadn't received city approval, I never would have bought it in the first place," another buyer said. "This is a dispute between the operator and the Seoul Metropolitan Government — I don't understand why they're asking customers to file complaints with the relevant department."

In its group text message to buyers, the operator said "the most effective approach is to directly press the responsible department for action," and included the name and extension number of a Future Han River Bureau official, urging customers to file complaints calling for approval of the extended operations. The official subsequently received several related inquiries by phone.

The operator also tried to persuade buyers by warning that consumers who had already purchased packages could suffer losses if extended operations were not approved. It said refunds would be processed individually and sequentially after each buyer confirmed the reason with the park facilities department, and that the process could take up to about a month.

As the controversy grew, the Future Han River Bureau called on the operator to halt package sales, refund buyers and remove online posts. The operator's managing director is said to have replied that it would wrap up operations by Sunday.

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is scheduled to be held around Yeouido Hangang Park on Sept. 5. The event draws large crowds every year, driving strong demand for prime viewing spots.