[South Korea] Protests: Peaceful protest

Summary

Single-source ACLED detection — awaiting independent verification. On April 4, 2025, members of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprises and student representatives from three Jeju universities held a press conference demanding restrictions on local currency usage at Hanaro Mart, citing competitive pressure on small businesses. The protest was characterized as peaceful and low-severity.

Supply chain impact

No commodities or chokepoints are directly mapped to this event. This localized commercial dispute on Jeju Island appears limited to retail dynamics and local currency policy, with minimal direct supply chain implications beyond potential shifts in local procurement patterns if the protest gains broader support.

Watch points

• Monitor whether the protest expands beyond Jeju or gains support from other regional business federations
• Track any policy responses from Jeju Special Self-Governing Province regarding local currency regulations
• Watch for similar disputes in other South Korean regions with local currency systems