Gyeonggi Province Special Investigation Unit Conducts Intensive Investigation into Illegal Lodging Operations in Officetel Facilities and Sanitation Code Violations

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] The Gyeonggi Province Special Investigation Unit will conduct an intensive investigation into ‘illegal lodging operations in officetels’ including COVID-19 sanitation code violations from August 17 to September 3.

The investigation targets 15 lodging businesses in the Goyang, Paju, and Gimpo areas that the Province suspects of operating illegally through prior investigation (online accommodation booking sites, etc.).

The Province plans to employ a ‘mystery shopping’ investigative technique in which investigators pose as guests to directly verify whether illegal activities are occurring.

The main investigation focus includes unreported lodging operations and continued operations despite closure orders from administrative agencies—actions that undermine safe accommodation environments amid strengthened social distancing measures.

In particular, the unit plans to intensively investigate unauthorized profits gained through operating multiple guest rooms in officetels, apartments, and other facilities.

When businesses violating COVID-19 sanitation guidelines are discovered, police referral and notification to the relevant city will be taken as separate measures.

According to the ‘Public Health Management Act,’ operating an unreported lodging business can result in imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

Yoon Tae-wan, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Investigation Unit, said, “Illegal businesses fail to properly implement temperature checks and visitor logs, making them a blind spot in quarantine management,” and added, “Through crackdowns on illegal lodging businesses, we will strive to create a safe accommodation environment for residents.”