Gyms Must Post 'Fees and Refund Policies' in Public Areas from Now On

Fair Trade Commission Issues Administrative Notice on Amendment to 'Important Labeling and Advertising Matters'

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] From now on, sports facilities must mandatorily post information such as fees and refund policies in publicly accessible areas within the premises. Additionally, personal mobility devices such as kickboards must display a mandatory notice stating that "violations such as unlicensed driving, drunk driving, and not wearing a helmet may be punishable under the Road Traffic Act."

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) announced on the 16th that it has prepared a revision of the "Important Display and Advertising Items Notice" containing these provisions and will conduct an administrative notice period until October 7.

Under current regulations, comprehensive sports facilities, swimming pools, and fitness centers are required to display specific service details, fee structures, and refund policies either on-site or in the registration application form, at the operator’s discretion. As a result, operators mostly display prices only in the registration application forms. Consumers must visit gyms in person and consult to learn prices through the registration forms.

Accordingly, the FTC improved the system so that important information regarding service details, fees, and refund policies must be displayed both on-site and in the registration application forms, allowing consumers to clearly understand these details before reaching the registration application stage.

In addition, the FTC requires manufacturers, sellers, and rental operators of personal mobility devices to display notices that violations of compliance items punishable under the Road Traffic Act may result in fines or penalties. The Road Traffic Act specifies the following: ▲Unlicensed driving: fine of 100,000 KRW ▲Drunk driving: simple drunk driving fine of 100,000 KRW, refusal to measure 130,000 KRW ▲Carrying passengers: fine of 40,000 KRW ▲Not wearing a helmet: fine of 20,000 KRW ▲Driving by children under 13 years old: guardian penalty of 100,000 KRW ▲Riding on sidewalks: fine of 30,000 KRW, etc.

An FTC official stated, "By strengthening the provision of information on services, prices, and refund policies of sports facilities, we aim to support consumers’ rational choices and induce price stabilization through market competition. We also expect to enhance consumer safety through information provision on compliance when using personal mobility devices such as electric kickboards."

The FTC plans to comprehensively review opinions from stakeholders and related ministries during the administrative notice period and finalize the revision through a plenary meeting resolution.

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