Collective dispute mediation is beginning over consumer losses tied to the 2026 Han River Rivercross Swimming Challenge, which was canceled in June. The move follows demands from 67 participants for refunds of entry fees and compensation for damages, who said they were harmed by the organizers' reversals in guidance.
The Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission reviewed the collective mediation application filed over the race and decided on the 8th of this month to open mediation proceedings, the Korea Consumer Agency said on the 13th.
The race, hosted by the Songpa District Swimming Federation in Seoul, had originally been scheduled for June 20-21 but was canceled because of rain and the volume of water discharged from Paldang Dam. Participants said the organizers announced until just before the event that it would proceed as planned, then issued conflicting guidance over whether approval had been granted, leaving the race effectively only partly held. In August, 67 consumers filed for collective dispute mediation with the commission, demanding refunds of their entry fees and compensation.
The commission found that the case met the requirements for collective dispute mediation under the Framework Act on Consumers, as the number of affected consumers was 50 or more and the main issues were common in fact or in law.
To speed up proceedings, the mediation covers only the 67 existing applicants. No additional applications will be accepted. If the business operator later accepts the commission's mediation decision, however, the commission also plans to pursue a compensation plan so that victims who did not take part directly can be covered as well.
The commission will post notice of the start of mediation on the Korea Consumer Agency website and in daily newspapers for 14 days, then issue a mediation decision within 30 days of the end of the notice period. The period can be extended up to twice, by as much as 30 days each time, if there is justifiable cause.