Administrative Sanctions Exempted to Protect Small Business Owners from Alcohol Sales to Deceived Youth

Formation of Consultative Body with Relevant Central Ministries and Metropolitan Local Governments
Promotion of Cooperation Meeting

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 8th, during a public discussion forum for self-employed and small business owners, that they plan to promptly implement measures such as exemption from administrative sanctions to resolve the difficulties faced by restaurant operators. At the forum, concerns were raised that excessive responsibility is imposed on operators who unknowingly sold alcoholic beverages to minors, causing a burden.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety have closely consulted and sent official letters to local governments, requesting that when detecting the provision of alcoholic beverages to minors at restaurants, they thoroughly investigate objective facts before carefully deciding on administrative sanctions or prosecution against the operators. Furthermore, if during the administrative investigation by local governments, it is objectively proven through CCTV footage or third-party testimonies that the operator verified the minor’s ID, administrative sanctions will be exempted, and the standards for administrative sanctions regarding the provision of alcohol to minors will be significantly relaxed by revising relevant laws.

However, considering that amending laws will take considerable time, an ‘Active Administration Committee’ will be convened, and if the review is approved, exemption from administrative sanctions will be implemented first.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to promptly establish and operate a consultative body with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare to revise laws related to similar administrative sanctions in areas such as tobacco and lodging, beyond just alcohol provision. Additionally, working-level meetings including administrative officers responsible for sanctions in metropolitan local governments will be held. Through this, the intention and direction of institutional improvements for small business owners will be shared, and immediate and proactive field administration by local governments will be encouraged.