Gwangju City Intensifies Crackdown on Unregistered Illegal Lodging Businesses

Gwangju City Hall

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 29th that it will operate a voluntary reporting period for illegally operating lodging businesses, including unreported, unregistered, altered, or expanded operations, for four weeks from July 1 to July 26, followed by an intensive crackdown for six weeks from July 6 to August 14.

This intensive crackdown is part of a joint inspection by three ministries (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) conducted in response to the need for thorough enforcement and strict measures against illegal lodging operations such as unreported businesses, following a gas explosion accident at an unauthorized pension in Donghae during this year's Lunar New Year holiday. The city will carry out the crackdown jointly with autonomous districts.

The main inspection items include ▲whether the business is legally reported (registered) ▲compliance with reporting (registration) standards ▲whether the business has been altered or expanded ▲compliance with fire safety and hygiene standards.

Unreported lodging businesses caught during on-site inspections will be subject to imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won under Article 20, Paragraph 1 of the Public Health Control Act. Even registered businesses found violating laws such as the Tourism Promotion Act or the Public Health Control Act (e.g., expanded operations) will face administrative measures or criminal penalties.

However, Gwangju City plans to exempt administrative sanctions for businesses that voluntarily report (register) themselves during the voluntary reporting period before the crackdown to prevent harm to good-faith victims. But if caught during the subsequent joint crackdown, they will be dealt with under a zero-tolerance policy, including criminal prosecution.

Lee Pyeong-hyung, Director of the Welfare and Health Bureau of the city, said, “To raise awareness about illegal lodging such as unreported businesses and to prevent harm to good-faith victims, we plan to operate a voluntary reporting period for four weeks starting June 1,” and added, “We hope unreported businesses voluntarily report to avoid administrative sanctions and other disadvantages.”