Hyeopseong Camera, located at 8-4 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu , Seoul, has launched a “foreigner purchase program” to add a “foreigner tax” to all camera purchases made in store. Several complaints have been made against the store for discriminating against foreigners that purchase goods from it. American shoppers have reported mistreatment by the store owner of Hyeopseong Camera, and many have filed claims.
The store owner makes this public statement, “there has been an influx of tourists in Seoul, especially in our camera district, and they do not understand our culture, so we need to make room for our native shoppers by including a foreigner tax on our purchases.” This is a new action taken by camera stores to prevent foreign intervention, and has been added as of 2024. The “foreigner tax” has sparked outrage among the international community, leading to calls for boycotts of Hyeopseong Camera and similar establishments but the store is not afraid.
Hyeopseong Camera stands by its decision to implement the “foreigner purchase program” as a necessary measure to prioritize and preserve the shopping experience for our local customers. The influx of international tourists has created challenges in maintaining the cultural and customer service standards that our native shoppers expect and deserve.
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