Seoul City Extends Intensive Crackdown on Room Cafes Ahead of New Semester

Enforcement Against Youth Harmful Businesses Until the 14th by Daeumdaru

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 16th that it will extend its intensive crackdown on room cafes, which could be misused as places for youth delinquency, for one month until the 14th of next month in preparation for the new school term.

The main crackdown items include ▲ failing to display signs indicating prohibition of youth entry and employment at establishments where youth entry and employment are banned, ▲allowing youth to enter establishments where youth entry and employment are prohibited, ▲operating without lodging business registration despite meeting lodging business requirements such as installing beds and bathrooms in enclosed structures.

Seoul City plans to form a joint crackdown team with autonomous districts and the police, conducting intensive day and night inspections to eradicate harmful environments for youth.

Additionally, in response to the recent increase in harmful flyers related to shirt rooms and massage parlors targeting youth, Seoul City will simultaneously conduct mass collection and crackdown on such flyers to create a safe environment for youth and parents.

The city requested active reporting and tips from users if they discover illegal activities such as failure to display signs prohibiting youth entry and employment, youth entry violations, or unregistered lodging operations at room cafes, as user reports are crucial for detecting such illegal acts.

Seo Young-gwan, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Civil Life Judicial Police Unit, stated, “This crackdown is conducted to protect youth during the new school term, and strict measures will be taken against establishments found violating the law.” He added, “We will continue ongoing inspections and crackdowns to eradicate illegal activities occurring in room cafes.”