Make President Park resign, get a free drink: retailers

In this Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, file photo, South Korean protesters wearing masks of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, right, and her confidante Choi Soon-sil, who is at the center of a political scandal, attend a rally calling for Park to step down in downtown Seoul. A scandal that has captivated a nation took a new twist this weekend when prosecutors directly linked South Korea’s president to alleged misdeeds by a shadowy confidante seen as pulling government strings. With hundreds of thousands taking to the streets each weekend in anger, President Park Geun-hye is digging in her heels, refusing to meet with prosecutors. The looming question now is: Will legislators take the politically risky path of impeaching her? (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

Lee Han-soo – The Korea Times

Is this a shrewd marketing scheme or a cheer-up campaign for those protesting against scandal-plagued President Park Geun-hye?

From restaurants to hotels, more businesses are pledging that their products or services will be free or hugely discounted when the President steps down.

This has raised the eyebrows of those who believe the businesses are trying to cash in on a political scandal that is rocking the nation. Others regard it as a unique way of venting their anger at the scandal-hit head of state and supporting the protesters.

But the bad news for them is that Park seems unlikely to step down anytime soon.

“If President Park resigns, all soju will be free for four days,” read a banner in front of a Daejeon restaurant. “I apologize for not participating in the mass protest because I had to run my restaurant.”

Restaurant owner Shin Sang-ho said: “Customers often say that Park should resign and I agree with them… For the future of our children, Park must quit the job and the current government must change its ways.”

A shellfish restaurant in Ulsan also plans to offer soju at cost until Park resigns.

“I put up a banner (promoting the campaign) to remind us how the government is acting toward its citizens,” said the restaurant owner Kim Young-sup. “The situation is so dire that I put up the banner even though the restaurant is not doing so well.”

Several other merchants said they will have a huge sale on the day of the President’s resignation.

A business hotel in Busan will open its rooms free of charge on the day Park resigns.

“All 51 rooms (except those that are reserved) will be free on the day President Park resigns,” the hotel’s owner said. “Please don’t misunderstand this as a marketing scheme. Although I am unable to participate in the mass protest, I wanted to show my support as a father.”