[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has cracked down on accommodation facilities operating without posted room rates ahead of a major comeback performance by BTS at Gwanghwamun.
According to Seoul Metropolitan Government on June 8, the city’s Civil Judicial Police Bureau inspected 83 accommodation facilities, including general and tourist hotels near Gwanghwamun, between May 25 and June 4 in cooperation with Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and local districts of Jongno and Jung.
The inspection found 18 establishments violating regulations, mainly for failing to display business registration certificates or accommodation rate charts.
Seoul launched accommodation price stabilization measures in January, after the Korea Heritage Service granted conditional permission for the BTS performance to use historic sites including Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Earlier monitoring conducted between June 2 and June 4 by public hygiene monitors at 569 lodging facilities identified several businesses that had not posted room rates, prompting the city to begin intensive inspections.
Under the Public Health Control Act, accommodation operators must display their business registration certificate inside the establishment and post accommodation rates at the reception desk.
The Civil Judicial Police Bureau plans to formally investigate the 18 identified establishments. Violations may result in up to six months in prison or fines of up to 5 million won.
The city will also request administrative sanctions from the relevant district offices, including improvement orders, temporary business suspensions, or eventual closure for repeated violations.
Byeon Gyeong-ok, head of the Civil Judicial Police Bureau, said authorities will continue strict inspections and investigations until the day of the BTS concert to ensure foreign visitors attending the event do not experience unfair practices during their stay in Seoul.
알파경제 Paul Lee 특파원(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
