Incheon Special Judicial Police Crack Down on 13 Illegal Businesses Using Shared Accommodation Platforms

Incheon City Special Judicial Police announced on the 12th that they conducted a special crackdown for three weeks starting last month ahead of the summer peak season and uncovered 13 illegal lodging establishments.

The uncovered establishments were found to have operated lodging businesses without registration in residential facilities such as apartments or detached houses using online shared lodging platforms.

Establishment A operated lodging without registration by setting up 9 rooms and an outdoor swimming pool in a three-building residential complex. This establishment promoted itself as a pension on its website and was caught after about two years of illegal operation.

Additionally, Establishment B operated as a foreign tourist city guesthouse under the Tourism Promotion Act but promoted itself as a venue rental business (such as party rooms) on portal sites, thereby illegally targeting domestic customers.

Incheon City Special Judicial Police are inspecting establishments operating lodging services without notification.
[Photo by Incheon City]

According to the Public Health Control Act, lodging businesses must register with the competent administrative agency, and violations may result in criminal penalties including imprisonment of up to 2 years or fines up to 20 million won.

An official from Incheon City Special Judicial Police stated, "Illegal lodging establishments often lack facilities and equipment necessary for tourist safety," and added, "We will continue crackdowns to eradicate illegal lodging operations."

Incheon City Special Judicial Police are inspecting establishments operating lodging businesses without registration.