Assemblyman Kim Yong-pan "Relief for Karaoke Business Owners Punished for ID Forgery"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] A bill to protect karaoke room owners who were punished after being deceived by teenagers using forged or altered IDs has been submitted to the National Assembly.

On the 2nd, Kim Yongpan, a member of the People Power Party, announced that he had introduced the "Partial Amendment to the Act on the Promotion of the Music Industry" on the 30th of last month, which exempts karaoke room owners from administrative sanctions if it is recognized that teenagers forged or altered their IDs or prevented verification of their age due to assault or other circumstances.

Under current law, when teenagers forge or alter IDs to purchase alcohol or cigarettes, the business owner is exempt from administrative sanctions; however, there is no exemption clause regarding entry prohibition. Therefore, karaoke room owners must ensure that teenagers do not enter outside permitted hours, and if they fail to comply, they face up to business closure and fines of up to 30 million won.

The secretary-general of the National Karaoke Room Cooperative said regarding the amendment, "We highly welcome the purpose of the amendment" and added, "We believe it is a law that is practically related to the livelihood of the people."

Representative Kim said, "Teenagers who forge or alter IDs should also be punished, but above all, relief for small business owners suffering because of this is a priority," and stated, "I will do my best until the bill passes so that no small business owner suffers unjust damage anymore."