Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Crack Down on Foreign Establishments Operating Entertainment Bars Under the Guise of Regular Restaurant Signs

[Asia Economy (Hwaseong) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] A business in Hwaseong City, operating illegally as a foreigner-only entertainment bar while registered as a general restaurant, was caught by the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police.

The Special Judicial Police of the province obtained related intelligence and, on the 30th of last month, ahead of Halloween Day (October 31), conducted a joint crackdown with Hwaseong City authorities, targeting the 'ㄱ' business in Hwaseong City and uncovering this illegal operation, the police announced on the 2nd.

According to the Special Judicial Police, the representative of the 'ㄱ' business registered the establishment as a general restaurant in May after entertainment bars were prohibited from operating due to COVID-19 restrictions.

However, the Special Judicial Police confirmed on-site through closed-circuit television (CCTV) and other means that the establishment was operating illegally as an entertainment bar where only foreign customers, including Thai nationals, entered, singing and dancing. Operating an entertainment bar without approval from the relevant administrative authority violates the Food Sanitation Act and is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 100 million KRW.

The Special Judicial Police plan to strengthen the investigation of the 'ㄱ' business and additionally report it to the local police station for violating the administrative order prohibiting gatherings under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

Yoon Tae-wan, head of the Provincial Civil Special Judicial Police, emphasized, "We will strongly investigate illegal entertainment bar operations," adding, "We will continue to crack down on illegal business activities to establish fair business order and prevent the spread of COVID-19."

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