Accommodation Facility Deceived by Youth Forging ID Card Exempted from Administrative Sanctions

Ministry of Health and Welfare Announces Legislative Notice for Partial Amendment of the Enforcement Rules of the Public Health Control Act

If a minor uses a forged or stolen ID to deceive their age and is unknowingly accepted as a customer at 24-hour jjimjilbangs or lodging businesses, the business operator's administrative sanctions will be exempted once this fact is confirmed.

On the 25th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it will give prior legislative notice until January 6 of next year for a partial amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Public Hygiene Control Act reflecting this content. This amendment follows the enactment of the "Public Hygiene Control Act Amendment" last month, aimed at preventing cases where business operators who have fulfilled their obligation to verify IDs are unfairly subjected to business suspension or other sanctions due to minors who deceived their age.

The amendment exempts administrative sanctions on business operators if it is confirmed that they were unaware of the customer's minor status due to ID forgery, alteration, or theft. The exemption also applies if the minor's status could not be confirmed due to assault or threats.

To receive the exemption, such circumstances must be verified through closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, statements from related parties, decisions of non-prosecution or non-indictment in investigations, or suspended sentencing judgments.

However, business owners who have been convicted by a court are excluded from the exemption from administrative sanctions.

Detailed information about the amendment can be found on the Ministry of Health and Welfare's website. Related opinions can be submitted to the Ministry's Health Policy Division or the Public Participation Legislation Center during the notice period.