Seoul City Conducts Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Apartment and Villa Lodging Businesses

The Seoul Metropolitan Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit (Civil Unit) announced on the 26th that it will conduct intensive investigations into illegal lodging activities in multi-unit housing targeting tourists starting next month.

This measure comes in response to a surge in complaints about illegal lodging operations that disguise apartments, multi-family houses, and villas as lodging facilities using online shared accommodation platforms and offer them to tourists.

According to the Civil Unit, the number of cases filed for illegal lodging operations using apartments and similar housing increased from 5 last year to 10 so far this year.

The investigation targets multi-unit housing where ongoing residential complaints arise due to noise, garbage, and other issues caused by tourists, as well as multi-unit housing operating lodging businesses without registration on shared accommodation internet sites like Airbnb.

Under current law, to operate a lodging business in multi-unit housing, one must obtain the consent of the majority of residents in the relevant building according to the complex’s management regulations, then register as a foreign tourist city lodging business. At the same time, the operator must always reside on-site and comply with standards such as providing lodging and meals to foreign tourists in vacant rooms of houses under 230㎡ in total floor area, including the operator’s residential area, to allow them to experience Korean home culture.

To operate a lodging business under public hygiene regulations, facilities and equipment prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare must be installed, and the business must be registered with the competent authority. Violations may result in imprisonment of up to 2 years or a fine of up to 20 million KRW.

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