Incheon Special Judicial Police Crack Down on 9 Unregistered Lodging Businesses Near Tourist Attractions

by Park Haesook

Published 01 Aug.2023 10:17(KST)

Incheon City announced on the 1st that it has identified 9 illegal lodging establishments and booked 14 individuals through a special crackdown conducted during the summer vacation season.

The Incheon Special Judicial Police carried out a special crackdown targeting unregistered lodging establishments around Incheon tourist sites for two weeks from the 11th to the 25th of last month. In particular, they focused on lodging businesses in Ongjin and Ganghwa counties, where tourists increase during the vacation season, that operate unregistered lodging services using online intermediary platforms.

The 9 establishments found were operating illegal lodging businesses using temporary or unauthorized buildings or detached (multi-family) houses where business registration was difficult. These lodging operators promoted their unregistered establishments as pool villas, pensions, resorts, etc., and made it easy for anyone to book accommodations through websites and online intermediary platforms.

According to the 'Public Health Control Act,' lodging businesses must report to the competent administrative agency, and failure to report business operations can result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment for up to 2 years or fines up to 20 million won. The Incheon Special Judicial Police plan to book and investigate the 14 illegal lodging operators caught in the crackdown according to relevant laws.

An official from the Incheon Special Judicial Police stated, "Illegal lodging establishments can jeopardize the safety and convenience of tourists and harm legitimate operators in the tourism and lodging industries. Therefore, we will continue to eradicate illegal lodging operations through ongoing monitoring, guidance, and crackdowns."