An aerial view of an airport [Newsis]
An aerial view of an airport [Newsis]

Food and beverage prices at the 14 airports operated by Korea Airports Corporation have climbed by as much as 45.5 percent over the past five years, a probe has found. Rising rent burdens were cited as a key driver.

Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the People Power Party analyzed food and beverage price data by airport obtained from Korea Airports Corporation, Yonhap reported Friday. Kim is a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee. The bibimbap sold by Pulmuone Food & Culture at Cheongju Airport posted the steepest increase among identical stores and menu items. It climbed 45.5 percent, from 11,000 won ($8) to 16,000 won, between August 2021 and August 2026.

At the same store, pork cutlet rose 36.4 percent, from 11,000 won to 15,000 won. Ramyun at Ulsan Airport climbed 30.0 percent, from 5,000 won to 6,500 won, while udon at Gimpo Airport rose 29.4 percent, from 8,500 won to 11,000 won. Bibimbap dishes at Gimhae Airport and Jeju Airport each rose 26.3 percent, to 12,000 won.

As of August 2026, the most expensive items by category were bibimbap at 16,000 won in Cheongju and pork cutlet at 15,000 won in Gimhae and Cheongju. Udon cost 11,000 won in Gimpo, while a ramyun set cost 9,000 won in Gimhae, and a single serving cost 7,500 won in Daegu. Jajangmyeon cost 9,500 won in Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju, and an americano cost 5,500 won in Gimpo.

Rising rents were cited as the main cause behind the price hikes.

An analysis of Korea Airports Corporation data on food and beverage sales and rents found that rent made up 31.9 percent of total tenant sales from 2021 to 2025. Tenants paid a combined 276.5 billion won in rent, out of 865.9 billion won in total sales over the period.

Among the 96 stores that recorded sales in 2025, 28 paid rent equivalent to 40 percent or more of their sales, and 10 paid 50 percent or more. Dunkin Donuts at Gimpo Airport's international terminal paid 65.6 percent of its sales in rent. Angel-in-us Coffee and Ogada at Jeju Airport's domestic terminal paid 59.2 percent and 58.4 percent, respectively.

"I will examine during the national audit whether high rents are affecting prices and service quality, whether the rent assessment and competitive bidding process are appropriate, and whether consultations on price hikes and follow-up management are being carried out effectively," Kim said.


husn7@heraldcorp.com