Room Cafes and Multi-Rooms Visited by Teenagers... Seoul City Conducts Special Inspections and Crackdowns

Autonomous District, Police, and Civil Organizations Combined

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 2nd that it will conduct special inspections and crackdowns on new types of youth-harmful establishments such as new room cafes and multi-rooms from the 3rd to the 13th. This crackdown will be carried out jointly by autonomous districts, the police, and the private organization Youth Harmful Environment Monitoring Group.

Room cafes can be registered as freelance businesses or reported as general restaurants, but some room cafes have enclosed spaces equipped with restrooms and beds, making them new places of deviance for youth where various delinquent and illegal activities occur.

The main crackdown areas are around elementary, middle, and high schools and districts densely populated with youth-harmful establishments. The key inspection and crackdown items include △violations of youth entry and employment prohibition △failure to display youth entry and employment prohibition signs △condoning or aiding youth harmful acts such as cohabitation of opposite sexes △protection activities for youth exposed to risks such as drinking, smoking, violence, and running away △and whether youth harmful signs are attached at establishments selling alcohol and tobacco.

If illegal activities are detected, corrective orders such as youth entry prohibition and sign attachment orders will be issued according to the Youth Protection Act, along with fines, imprisonment, and penalties.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will also conduct guidance and prevention campaigns against youth drinking and smoking. For youth exposed to risks such as drinking, smoking, violence, and running away, protection services will be actively linked through youth shelters, out-of-school youth support centers, and other youth safety nets.

Lee Hoeseung, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Lifelong Education Bureau, said, “There is great concern about youth exposure to harmful environments due to the recent increase in room cafes operated through loopholes,” adding, “To safely protect youth from harmful environments, Seoul will continue strong crackdowns and preventive activities.”