'Boycott Japan' campaign moving to anti-Japan marketing

Next to a sign that reads "We do not sell Japanese goods," an employee removes Japanese snacks from the shelves at a supermarket in Seoul, July 8. Korea Times file

By Kim Hyun-bin

Amid growing anti-Japan sentiment here following Tokyo's imposition of selective export restrictions, the local travel industry, plastic surgery clinics and cosmetics companies have been pushing “anti-Japan marketing,” giving massive discounts to people who boycott goods from or cancel their trips to the neighboring country.

A plastic surgery hospital in Gangnam, southern Seoul, is giving a 50 percent discount for double eyelid surgery for people who prove they canceled their trip to Japan. The promotion will last until Aug. 15.

A local men's cosmetics company is offering free hair wax products to customers who switch from Japanese brands if they send pictures of themselves using the Japanese products.

Daezer, a marine transportation company, is offering a 30 percent discount for people using ferries between Pohang and Ulleung Island and between Ulleung Island and Dokdo islets from Aug. 5 to Sept. 30 who can prove they have canceled trips to Japan.

The promotion is intended to “challenge” the Japanese government's disputed territorial claim over the islets for decades.

High1 Resort in Gangwon Province began to offer an up to 80 percent discount package dubbed “Pride of Korea,” July 22. People who prove they have canceled overseas flights can book a hotel room for one night and receive two tickets to the water park, which cost 540,000 won ($457), for 99,000 won.

The ad did not specify Japan but had a large Korean flag, and the number of rooms available for the event was 815, implying Aug. 15, the day Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.

“The package is a present for those who love our country and for those who canceled their trips abroad,” the ad stated.

The first-come-first-served package has already sold out, and 80 percent of the rooms were taken by people who canceled trips to Japan, according to the resort officials.

Local governments are also taking advantage of the anti-Japan sentiment in revitalizing regional tours.

Paju City in Gyeonggi Province offers a 50 percent discount for city tour programs to people who submit proof they have canceled a trip to Japan via email or mobile device. The organizer of the Gyeongju World Culture Expo also gives the same discount for its Hot Summer Bubble Festival, which is scheduled to run through Aug. 25, to people who cancel overseas trips.

From July 19 to 23, Seokgok Nonghyup located in Gokseong County in South Jeolla Province gave out 500 10 kilogram sacks of rice to people who canceled trips to Japan. The 500 sacks were gone in half a day.

“We are planning a second event in August. We spent 30 million won for the first event, but believe the marketing effect was worth more,” an official from Seokgok Nonhyup said.