A recent article highlights the significant increase in vegetable prices in South Korea, particularly red and green lettuce and perilla leaves, due to adverse weather conditions such as heatwaves and rainy seasons. The price of red lettuce has surged up to 2.3 times the average, reaching 1945 won per 100g, and green lettuce and perilla leaves have also seen similar price hikes. This situation has affected self-employed individuals, especially those in the sandwich and salad industry, as they struggle to maintain profits with the rising costs. Some have been forced to pass the additional expenses onto consumers by increasing menu prices or reducing the quantity of vegetables used. The situation underscores the challenges faced by small businesses in Korea, seeking to balance their costs with consumer demand and expectations.