A woman walks down steps decorated with a BTS logo in Seoul, Jan. 6, ahead of the group's Gwanghwamun concert. Newsis
City authorities in Seoul have started a crackdown on lodging facilities near Gwanghwamun ahead of K-pop group BTS’ comeback concert on March 21, uncovering a string of violations including hotels operating without posting mandatory room rate information.
During its special inspections carried out in central Seoul between Feb. 25 and March 4, 18 hotels and other lodging facilities had violated regulations by failing to display official room rates or business registration certificates, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday.
Under the Public Health Control Act, hospitality business owners have to display their business registration certificate inside the premises and post a room rate table at the reception desk.
The city’s special judicial police bureau, working in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, will formally book all 18 offending establishments and conduct investigations. Depending on the findings, the violators could face up to six months in prison or fines of up to 5 million won ($3,400).
City officials will also ask Jongno and Jung district offices to impose sanctions ranging from corrective orders and short suspensions to business closures for severe or repeat offenses.
This move comes as concern grows over price-gouging ahead of the highly anticipated BTS Gwanghwamun concert, which is being billed as the band’s first full‑group comeback performance after completing military service and its first large-scale outdoor concert in the city in years.
“We will continue intensive crackdowns and investigations on unlawful practices at lodging facilities through the day of the concert so that foreign tourists visiting Seoul for the BTS comeback performance do not face any harm or inconvenience,” said Byun Kyung-ok, head of the city’s special judicial police bureau.
Source: Korea Times News
