GS25 cuts prices amid controversy over World Scout Jamboree branch

South Korea's convenience store chain GS25, which has a makeshift branch for the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum, an estuarine tidal flat in Buan County, North Jeolla Province, has reportedly cut prices again at the facility due to overpricing allegations.

An industry source on Friday said GS25 raised prices of select items at its on-site tent-type facility.

For example, a cup of ice regularly priced at 700 won ($0.54) went for 1,500 won at the branch.

Ice cream normally costing 1,800 won was 2,000 won and a 500-ml bottle of Coca-Cola 2,500 won, about 9% more expensive than those at regular stores.

The ensuing controversy over the price hikes prompted the branch on Thursday to lower the prices of all products.

GS25 said the prices of certain items at the branch were raised due to the high cost of on-site logistics infrastructure but lowered them from Thursday to wish for the Jamboree's success.

GS25's branch at the site is known to have incurred hundreds of millions of won in costs for specialty equipment, large tents and refrigerated containers because the spot is not the store's original location but a tidal flat where movement of goods is difficult.

In talks with the event's organizing committee, the company also agreed to donate 50,000 units of bottled water and provide mobile phone charging infrastructure at no charge.

Write to Young Chan Song at 0full@hankyung.com