Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Conduct Intensive Investigation of Illegal Activities at 90 Locations Including Jjimjilbangs

Gyeonggi Province will launch an investigation into illegal activities in bathhouse businesses within the province.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police announced on the 6th that from the 9th to the 20th, they will conduct an intensive investigation targeting 90 bathhouse businesses, including jjimjilbangs and saunas, across the province for illegal activities.

The main focus of the crackdown includes ▲compliance with bathwater quality inspection standards ▲unregistered barber and beauty services ▲unregistered food service operations ▲storage of products past their expiration date ▲violations of food labeling regulations ▲use of unregistered air emission facilities and improper facility operation, among others.

Under the current "Public Hygiene Management Act," failure to conduct bathwater quality inspections at least once a year results in a fine of up to 3 million KRW, and operating an unregistered public hygiene business is punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW.

Additionally, the "Food Sanitation Act" requires bathhouse businesses handling food to register with the competent authorities. Violations, including storing or selling expired products or food, are punishable by imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW.

The Special Judicial Police Unit of Gyeonggi Province will begin investigating illegal activities in bathhouse businesses within the province starting from the 9th of this month. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Government

Furthermore, the "Food Labeling and Advertising Act" imposes imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW for violations of food labeling requirements, while the "Origin Labeling Act" stipulates imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine of up to 100 million KRW for false origin labeling.

The "Air Quality Preservation Act" prescribes imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million KRW for violations such as using unregistered air emission facilities or improper facility operation.

The Special Judicial Police of the province will focus on inspecting compliance with hygiene management standards that public hygiene business operators must follow, such as monthly disinfection, safety management of sweating rooms, and posting of bath fees, to ensure thorough preemptive management for the safe and healthy use of multi-use facilities by residents.

Gi-do Ki, head of the province's Special Judicial Police, stated, "Through intensive investigations of bathhouse businesses, we will do our best to provide a safe and healthy multi-use facility environment not only for residents but also for foreign tourists."