Jeonnam's Yeosu City has sparked controversy after sending an official document that seemingly points to taxi drivers as the source of malicious criticism regarding the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo.
Yeosu City recently sent a document to local taxi companies titled "Request for Education on Prohibiting Taxi Drivers from Spreading Rumors Regarding the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo."
In the document, Yeosu City stated, "There is public opinion that drivers are spreading rumors about insufficient preparations for the Island Expo," adding, "It is believed that the drivers' dissatisfaction with decreased revenue may be manifesting as rumor-spreading behavior."
Comparing per-capita revenue over 9-day periods from the first weekend to the second weekend of September last year and this year, the city claimed, "While no revenue decline was observed, we believe that the lack of conspicuous earnings compared to expectations for a seasonal boom could lead to dissatisfaction."
The city also requested that companies educate their transport workers to prohibit spreading rumors and instead promote the goals and intent of the event, arguing that revenue would increase if the Island Expo succeeds.
The taxi industry immediately protested the official document, which appeared to corner taxi drivers as propagators of rumors.
They criticized the city for singling out taxi drivers as rumor-mongers without substantial grounds and treating them as if they were maliciously spreading false gossip due to revenue grievances.
An official from a taxi company expressed frustration, saying, "If anything, we would help an international event held in our hometown rather than fabricate and spread falsehoods to tarnish its reputation to passengers." The official added, "It is disheartening to see the perception that portrays taxi drivers as going around spreading malicious rumors simply because they are not making a lot of money."
Recently, on social media and other platforms, criticisms surrounding the Yeosu World Island Expo have continued, focusing on issues such as the method of recreating traditional boat songs using trucks and the poor composition of soy sauce-marinated crab set meals at the main venue's cafeteria.
As the controversy grew, Yeosu City released an official statement declaring, "While we will accept constructive criticism, we will respond firmly to acts such as capturing citizens' faces without permission to mock or insult them."
Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Lee Yu-jin | Graphics by Lee Jung-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
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