Illegal Beauty Services in Officetels... Seoul City Identifies 16 Violating Businesses

Seoul Civil Affairs Police Unit Investigates 58 Illegal Beauty Service Businesses
Eyelash Extensions, Perms, Makeup, Skin Care... Unlicensed Operations
Seoul City Urges Verification of Licenses and Business Registration Before Use

Businesses providing illegal beauty services such as skin care in university areas and residential neighborhoods have been caught. They avoided crackdowns by not listing their business locations in promotions and only informing customers who made advance reservations about the service location.

On the 12th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit announced that, after investigating 58 suspected illegal beauty businesses located in university areas, commercial districts, and residential neighborhoods from February to June, they identified 16 businesses providing illegal beauty services such as eyelash perming and extensions, makeup, and skin care.

Illegal beauty salon site photo. [Photo by Seoul City]

This investigation was initiated following reports that illegal beauty businesses were thriving as interest in beauty increased across all age groups and genders. Since promotional marketing for beauty service providers mainly occurs online, the authorities focused on monitoring social network services for potential legal violations and selected 58 suspicious businesses.

Among the 16 violating businesses, the types of license violations were ▲14 businesses operating beauty services without registration ▲1 business providing makeup services without registration ▲1 business providing skin care services without registration. Of these, six operated without any beauty-related licenses, and some reported monthly sales reaching up to 30 million KRW.

Notably, these businesses operated in buildings designated as officetels or residential properties. According to the Building Act, beauty business registration is only permitted in buildings classified as neighborhood living facilities. Operating in officetels designated for office or residential use, or residential one-room apartments, without registration constitutes illegal unregistered beauty business. Providing services illegally without registering the beauty business is punishable under Article 20 of the Public Health Control Act by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW.

To operate a beauty business, one must hold a beautician license under Article 6, Paragraph 1 of the Public Health Control Act, and even with a license, must register the business with the district office head according to Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the same law. Seoul City offers rewards of up to 200 million KRW for reports and tips that contribute to public interest with decisive evidence of criminal acts.

Seo Young-gwan, head of the Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit, stated, "Illegal beauty activities such as unregistered and unlicensed eyelash extensions can harm public hygiene environments, so we will do our best to eradicate illegal beauty businesses." He added, "We urge citizens to verify the possession of relevant beauty licenses and business registration status before using such services."