Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Conduct 'Focused Investigation' on Illegal Lodging in Officetels

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will conduct a focused investigation into illegal lodging activities in officetels within the province.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police announced on the 13th that from the 17th of this month until the 3rd of next month, they will carry out a concentrated investigation into 'illegal officetel lodging businesses,' including violations of COVID-19 quarantine rules.

The investigation targets 15 officetels in Goyang, Paju, and Gimpo areas suspected of illegal activities based on prior research through online lodging reservation sites. The province will use a 'mystery shopping' investigation technique, where investigators enter the establishments as guests to directly verify illegal activities.

The main investigation points include unregistered lodging operations and continuing business despite administrative orders to close, which undermine a safe lodging environment amid strengthened social distancing measures.

In particular, operating multiple rooms in officetels, apartments, etc., to gain unfair profits will also be a focus of the investigation.

If establishments violating COVID-19 quarantine rules are found, they will be reported to the police and notified to the relevant local government for separate measures.

According to the current 'Public Health Control Act,' unregistered lodging operations can be punished by imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

Yoon Tae-wan, head of the province's Special Judicial Police, emphasized, "Illegal establishments do not properly implement temperature checks and visitor records, placing them in blind spots of quarantine management," and added, "We will strive to create a safe lodging environment for residents through crackdowns on illegal lodging businesses."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.