Seoul City Detects Four Room Cafes for Youth Entry Violations and Related Acts

Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Activities from February to March

The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit recently announced on the 20th that, as a result of intensive crackdowns conducted from the 15th of last month to the 14th of this month on new and variant youth-harmful establishments such as room cafes, which have been identified as harmful to youth and caused social controversy, a total of four establishments were caught violating the Youth Protection Act and the Public Health Management Act.

This crackdown was aimed at preemptively blocking environments harmful to youth by selecting suspicious establishments based on investigations conducted by autonomous district offices and internet search results. The enforcement method involved conducting the Civil Affairs Unit's own inspections once a week during day and night, combined with joint crackdowns twice a week alongside the Autonomous Police Committee, autonomous districts, and the police.

Through this, it was made clear to business owners that currently operating room cafes are establishments prohibited for youth entry and employment according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's notification standards, and all 41 establishments identified as currently operating in Seoul were required to post signs at their entrances indicating restrictions on youth entry and employment.

As a result of the crackdown, two establishments were caught allowing youth entry in prohibited establishments, and two establishments were caught operating lodging businesses without registration.

Additionally, during the enforcement period, Seoul City conducted a simultaneous crackdown including the collection of youth-harmful flyers to provide a safe environment for youth and parents in preparation for the new school term.

Seo Young-gwan, head of the Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit, stated that through the overall inspection and crackdown on room cafes and similar establishments, it was made clear to currently operating business owners that room cafes are establishments prohibited for youth entry and employment, and that enforcement will continue persistently until youth entry is completely eradicated.