Seoul City Conducts On-Site Inspection of Sidewalk Advertising Facilities... "Eradicating Violations of Resale and Sublease Regulations"

Focused Inspection on Sidewalk Business Facilities: Street Vendor Stalls and Shoe Repair Stands
Administrative Actions Including Maximum Permit Revocation for Violations Such as Resale and Subleasing

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is cracking down on the resale and subleasing of street vending stands and shoe repair stands on sidewalks.

According to Seoul City on the 6th, the city, together with autonomous districts, will conduct inspections focusing on areas with a high likelihood of resale and subleasing, such as busy commercial districts and areas around subway stations, until the 15th.

This inspection aims to manage and supervise sidewalk business facilities to prevent them from becoming facilities that violate regulations, and to conduct safety inspections to block safety issues on sidewalks, thereby contributing to the creation of safe pedestrian pathways.

Seoul City operates sidewalk business facilities to support the economic activities of small merchants. However, numerous suspicious complaints have arisen regarding the resale and subleasing of street vending stands and shoe repair stands operating on sidewalks, which are public goods, making management necessary for legal operation.

Accordingly, Seoul City will conduct inspections focusing on the posting of operator certificates, whether operated by others, and violations of ordinances. If violations such as resale or subleasing are detected, administrative measures including maximum permit cancellation will be taken. The key inspection items include compliance with the obligation to post operator certificates, whether the facility is operated by someone other than the spouse or direct family member listed on the operator certificate, and whether the facility has been resold, subleased, or provided as collateral to a third party.

Furthermore, Seoul City is conducting safety inspections to identify the use of hazardous materials in the facilities, risks of toppling, and electrical safety inspections such as measuring insulation and grounding of electrical equipment, taking measures to prevent various safety accidents.

Lee Hye-kyung, Seoul City’s Walkability Planning Officer, said, “We will strongly enforce regulations to make sidewalks, which are public goods for citizens, safer,” adding, “Pedestrian safety is directly linked to citizen safety, so we will create a pleasant environment that satisfies vulnerable road users and all citizens.”