Suspected of Commercializing the 228 Incident? Leofoo Village Issues Apology and Adjusts Promotion

▲Leofoo Village (Photo / Taken fromLeofoo Village mascot, Habbyofficial fan page)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

With the 228 long weekend approaching, various businesses have rolled out promotional offers to boost sales. Among them, Leofoo Village’s 228 holiday promotion has been widely criticized by the public for allegedly exploiting the pain of victims and disregarding historical trauma, prompting demands for an apology from the theme park.

Leofoo Village’s 228 promotion offered entry for just NT$228 to individuals whose ID numbers contain the digits 2, 2, and 8 or who were born in the Year of the Monkey. In response, Soochow University’s Student Association posted on its Facebook fan page stating that the 228 Incident should not be used for commercial promotion, and that the meaning of the 228 holiday is not to celebrate historical trauma. The association issued three statements.

▲Soochow University Student Association Statement. (Photo / Screenshot fromSoochow University Student Associationofficial fan page)

1. Firmly boycott consuming at Leofoo Village for exploiting the 228 historical trauma.

2. The Student Association will completely cancel all public relations activities with Leofoo Village.

3. Demand a public apology from Leofoo Village.

In response, Leofoo Village Theme Park posted a statement on its official website early on the 25th, explaining that the original intention was merely to provide a promotional offer during the 2/27–2/29 long weekend as a travel option for the public. The park expressed deep regret for any misunderstanding or distress caused, and emphasized that the promotion absolutely did not intend to celebrate or exploit the 228 Incident. The park also stated that it would exercise greater caution in future marketing activities. Additionally, the 228 promotion was adjusted to offer discounted entry for NT$227 and up to those whose ID numbers contain any one of the digits 2, 2, 7, 8, or 9 (the digits do not need to be consecutive).

▲Leofoo Village Statement. (Photo / Screenshot fromLeofoo Villageofficial website)