The Seoul city government said on the 23rd that it uncovered six cases of unlicensed tour interpreter-guide activities targeting foreign tourists.
Earlier, from the 15th to the 17th, the Seoul city government carried out a joint crackdown with relevant agencies to eradicate unlicensed guide activities around Hongik Univ. Station, Myeong-dong, and Gyeongbok Palace. The operation involved the Seoul city government and district offices, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Mobile Patrol Unit, and the Korea Tourist Interpreter-Guide Association.
Under the Tourism Promotion Act, tour guidance for foreign tourists is limited to those who have obtained a tour interpreter-guide qualification. However, there have been criticisms that some travel agencies hire unlicensed guides who deliver distorted information about history and culture, or run itineraries geared more toward meeting shopping quotas than providing tour guidance, engaging in unsound practices.
Accordingly, through this operation the Seoul city government uncovered six cases of unlicensed guide activities. Guides will face fines, and travel agencies will face administrative measures such as a penalty surcharge. Under the Tourism Promotion Act, a guide who provides tour guidance without a qualification may be fined 1.5 million won for a first offense, 3 million won for a second, and 5 million won for a third. In addition, travel agencies that employ unlicensed guides may face a penalty surcharge or administrative sanctions (first, a corrective order; second, a 15-day business suspension; third, license revocation).
Gu Jong-won, director general of the Seoul city government's Tourism and Sports Bureau, said, "We will respond strongly to illegal acts in tourism and work actively so that Seoul can establish itself as a high-quality tourism city."