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Seoul gov't finds 18 lodging businesses violating law ahead of BTS comeback performance

Published: 08 Mar. 2026, 17:12 Updated: 08 Mar. 2026, 17:17

People walk by BTS's promotional installation for its upcoming album "Arirang" in central Seoul on Jan. 15. [AP/YONHAP]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government found that 18 lodging businesses failed to display a list of room prices or their business registration certificate during inspections, which were carried out ahead of BTS's comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 21, the city announced on Sunday.

The city’s Special Police Bureau for Citizens’ Livelihood and Safety — a unit of administrative officials with limited investigative powers — reviewed 83 lodging businesses, including hotels and other accommodations, around Gwanghwamun Square from Feb. 25 to Wednesday. The bureau was joined by officials from Jongno District and Jung District in central Seoul and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

Authorities launched the inspections to prevent accommodation prices from sharply increasing ahead of the performance, as officials expect large numbers of tourists to gather in the Gwanghwamun area for the boy band's performance.

The inspections are also part of Seoul’s broader efforts to stabilize accommodation prices, with the city conducting checks on lodging facilities in central Seoul’s Jongno and Jung Districts since January.

People walk at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 6. [YONHAP]

Under the Public Health Control Act, lodging operators must place their business registration certificate somewhere visible inside the facility. They must also have a list of prices at the reception desk and charge those posted prices.

However, inspectors found that several businesses had failed to do so. One unmanned lodging facility operated without displaying either a price list or a business registration certificate. In another case, several businesses within the same building filed separate registrations by floor but did not attach price lists for each business.

BTS members pose for photos ahead of a press conference to introduce their new single ″Butter″ in Seoul on May 21, 2021. [AP/YONHAP]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to open investigations into the 18 businesses that were caught violating the rules. Operators could face up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 5 million won ($3,370).

The city also plans to request administrative action, including orders to suspend business operations, from the relevant district offices.

Seoul will accept public reports about violations, such as failure to display prices, refusal to charge posted prices and illegal lodging operations in apartments, until March 21.

People who submit reports with important evidence may receive a reward of up to 200 million won.

“We will continue inspections and investigations into illegal lodging operations until the day of the concert so foreign tourists visiting Seoul do not experience lodging-related financial problems,” said Byeon Gyeong-ok, the head of the Special Police Bureau for Citizens' Livelihood and Safety.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KIM MIN-WOOK [[email protected]]