“We were told our trip was canceled while eating at the airport”... 9,000 customers blindsided after travel agency suddenly shuts down

[Financial News] Andersen, a travel agency known for educational trips for teenagers, suddenly shut down early last month amid a police investigation, leaving thousands of customers facing substantial losses.
According to a report by SBS on the 2nd, customer A booked a trip to Europe for this month and another to the United States for February next year through Andersen last June, and transferred all the costs, including travel expenses.
Then, on the 5th of last month, A learned through the agency’s website that “all trips would be suspended due to a police search and seizure of its offices.”
Police said they are investigating possible links between the travel agency and current and former officials of the People’s Democracy Party who were indicted on charges of violating the National Security Act.
A, whose losses amount to approximately 17 million won, lamented, “They say the search and seizure happened because of a political issue, but why should I get dragged into that political fight...?”
The number of victims tallied independently by those affected is reportedly about 9,000, while the total losses are said to exceed 29.5 billion won.
The losses were extensive because the agency sold discounted packages that required customers to pay in cash a year in advance.
The incident left some travelers stranded after their itineraries were halted abroad and they had to pay additional expenses before returning home. Others were notified of the cancellation at the airport just before departure.
A also recounted, “I was eating at Incheon International Airport when I received the text message. It said the trip scheduled for the next day had been canceled. I heard it was incredibly difficult to tell the children.”
The travel agency is informing customers that it will “resume normal operations in two years” and that it will “transfer advance payments to other travel products.”
However, the victims are demanding immediate refunds and have begun preparing a class-action lawsuit.
[email protected] Ahn Ga-eul Reporter