Yongin City "Voluntarily Report Unregistered Kids Cafes"

Voluntary Reporting of 'Other Amusement Facilities' by January Next Year
Administrative Actions Including Prosecution and Facility Closure for Non-Reporting Businesses

Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province is stepping up focused management of illegal operations such as 'Kids Cafes.' Strong administrative measures are being announced through intensive crackdowns on businesses that do not voluntarily report.

On the 6th, Yongin City announced that it will accept voluntary reports until January next year from 'Other Amusement Facility' businesses operating amusement facilities or amusement rides without registration.

Other Amusement Facility businesses refer to those equipped with amusement rides or facilities that are not subject to safety inspections, allowing tourists to use them. A representative example is Kids Cafes. The Tourism Promotion Act stipulates that Other Amusement Facilities with installed rides and facilities must be reported to the relevant local government. Additionally, regular safety management inspections and safety education must be completed every two years.

Along with this, businesses must undergo facility verification inspections at the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency or the Korea Testing Laboratory for Machinery, Electrical and Electronics, and subscribe to business liability insurance that covers compensation for user damages.

The city plans to conduct intensive crackdowns on unreported facilities for one month in February next year after the voluntary reporting period ends. Administrative actions such as prosecution and facility closure will be strictly enforced against the businesses caught in the crackdown. Unreported businesses may face imprisonment of up to one year or fines of up to 10 million KRW. However, the city has decided to defer prosecution for businesses that report during the voluntary reporting period.

Reports can be submitted to the city hall civil service office with the required documents, including the Other Amusement Facility business report, proof of exemption from safety inspection, insurance subscription certificates, and safety management plans.

Facilities and rides exempt from safety inspections include ▲ driving-type facilities operating at speeds of 5 km/h or less (mini trains, battery cars, etc.) ▲ fixed rides with a rotation diameter within 3 meters (rotating riders, etc.) ▲ spectator-type facilities where users participate themselves (video adventure halls, 3D theaters, etc.) ▲ play-type rides using auxiliary equipment or water play experiences (trampolines, mini air bounces, mini slides, etc.).

A Yongin City official said, "Since unreported businesses pose potential issues regarding safety and lack of insurance, we decided to operate a voluntary reporting period," adding, "We will enhance user safety through safety education and safety inspections."