‘Protecting Youth Safety’ … Busan City Conducts Survey and Special Crackdown on New and Emerging Harmful Businesses

March 13 to 31, New Crackdown on Illegal and Harmful Environments

District and County Police Stations and Civil Harmful Environment Monitoring Teams Conduct Field Surveys

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Busan City will conduct a fact-finding survey and special crackdown on new and variant youth harmful establishments (such as room cafes) from the 13th until March 31.

This special inspection and crackdown was decided to be implemented in response to the recent social issues surrounding new and variant youth harmful establishments (such as room cafes), aiming to proactively address the situation and ensure a safe environment for youth.

First, by February 28, the city will conduct a joint fact-finding survey on new and variant youth harmful establishments within its jurisdiction together with district and county offices, the police agency (police stations), private harmful environment monitoring groups, and youth guidance councils.

The target includes harmful establishments that do not display restrictions on youth entry and employment, or do not restrict youth entry and employment.

Additionally, a special crackdown team will be formed to enforce regulations against violations of youth entry and employment prohibition obligations until March.

The inspection will focus on whether new and variant harmful establishments have ▲ enclosed spaces or partitions, ▲ chairs or sofas that can be transformed into bedding or bed forms, ▲ installed city hall equipment, karaoke devices, etc., and ▲ business types where physical contact or sexual acts may occur.

If the establishment fails to display restrictions on youth entry and employment, it will be ordered to correct the violation under Article 45 of the Youth Protection Act and fined according to Article 64 of the same law. If the establishment does not restrict youth entry and employment, it will be reported to the police or requested for investigation under Article 58, Clause 4, and Article 59, Clauses 8 and 9 of the Youth Protection Act.

Busan City Hall.

Kim Minsuk, Director of the Women's and Family Bureau of the city, stated, “We will not stop at this fact-finding survey and special crackdown but will continuously conduct monitoring activities of youth harmful environments to create an environment where our city's youth can grow up healthily in a safe environment.”