Seoul Cracks Down On Unlicensed Tour Guides To Improve Tourism Quality In South Korea

Published on October 23, 2025

The humanities landmarks, thriving unit areas, and lively civilization of Seoul person agelong made nan metropolis a celebrated destination for visitors from astir nan world. However, an rumor that has gained much attraction is unlicensed circuit guides, which has damaged nan capital’s tourism sector. The Seoul metropolis authorities has begun a crackdown connected forbidden circuit guiding activities that target overseas visitors successful a clear effort to protect nan integrity of its tourism industry. This inaugural seeks to reside concerns regarding nan value of accusation fixed to visitors arsenic good arsenic nan problem of unlicensed guides.

The Rise of Unlicensed Tour Guides

Unlicensed circuit guides person go a increasing interest successful celebrated tourer areas crossed Seoul, peculiarly astir hotspots specified arsenic Hongik University Station, Myeong-dong, and Gyeongbok Palace. The emergence successful unqualified individuals offering circuit services has led to a number of unsatisfactory experiences for visitors, who often find themselves receiving misleading humanities specifications aliases being guided done itineraries that look much tailored to shopping quotas than to taste enrichment. These practices person been criticised for distorting nan existent principle of Seoul’s rich | history and for undermining nan credibility of nan city’s tourism sector.

While nan enactment of providing circuit guidance is restricted to licensed professionals nether nan Tourism Promotion Act, galore overseas tourists, unfamiliar pinch section laws and regulations, person unknowingly engaged pinch these unlicensed guides. These unauthorised guides are typically hired by definite recreation agencies that prioritise profits complete nan value of nan work provided to their clients. The antagonistic consequences of these actions not only impact visitors but besides tarnish Seoul’s estimation arsenic a tourer destination committed to delivering authentic and enriching experiences.

The Crackdown Operation

In consequence to this increasing issue, nan Seoul metropolis government, successful collaboration pinch various applicable agencies, conducted a associated cognition from nan 15th to nan 17th of October, aimed astatine identifying and eliminating unlicensed guiding practices. The crackdown targeted high-profile tourer areas, including Hongik University Station, Myeong-dong, and nan iconic Gyeongbok Palace.

The cognition was carried retired successful business pinch territory offices, nan Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Mobile Patrol Unit, and nan Korea Tourist Interpreter-Guide Association. The agencies worked together to place instances of unlicensed guides operating successful these areas, conducting targeted patrols and inspections to place unauthorised circuit guides and forestall further forbidden activities. The cognition resulted successful nan uncovering of six cases of unlicensed circuit guideline activities, starring to nan recognition of some nan individuals providing these services and nan recreation agencies employing them.

Legal Implications and Penalties for Unlicensed Guides

Under South Korea’s Tourism Promotion Act, individuals who supply circuit guidance without nan due qualifications look terrible penalties. A first-time offence tin consequence successful a good of 1.5 cardinal won, while consequent violations lead to progressively terrible fines: 3 cardinal won for a 2nd offence and 5 cardinal won for a third.

Additionally, recreation agencies that prosecute unlicensed circuit guides look administrative actions. The penalties for specified agencies see corrective orders, suspension of business operations for up to 15 days, and successful terrible cases, nan revocation of nan agency’s license. These ineligible actions are meant to create a clear deterrent against nan employment of unlicensed guides and to promote recreation agencies to adhere strictly to nan ineligible standards group by nan Tourism Promotion Act.

The Role of Qualified Tour Guides successful Promoting High-Quality Tourism

Qualified circuit guides are an integral portion of ensuring that overseas visitors bask a heavy and meticulous knowing of nan humanities and taste landmarks they visit. These professionals acquisition rigorous training and must walk examinations to person certification, ensuring that they are knowledgeable astir nan sites they guideline visitors done and tin of providing enriching, factually meticulous tours.

By maintaining a precocious modular of tourism practices, Seoul intends to create a metropolis that not only attracts visitors but besides provides them pinch a meaningful and informative experience. A certified guide’s domiciled goes beyond simply providing facts; they are tasked pinch creating a relationship betwixt nan tourer and nan section culture, enhancing nan visitor’s knowing and appreciation of Seoul’s history.

Seoul’s Commitment to Tourism Quality

The Seoul metropolis government’s caller crackdown is portion of a broader effort to guarantee nan city’s tourism manufacture adheres to nan highest standards. The authorities is committed to actively responding to forbidden tourism practices to support nan integrity of nan industry. The crackdown is besides a reflection of Seoul’s dedication to preserving its taste practice and enhancing nan tourism acquisition for world visitors.

In a connection released by nan Tourism and Sports Bureau, nan metropolis emphasised its continued efforts to combat forbidden tourism activities. The metropolis authorities has made it clear that it will return beardown measures to guarantee that nan tourism assemblage remains a high-quality, professional, and safe situation for visitors from astir nan world.

Conclusion

The city’s continued efforts to amended its tourism assemblage and guarantee that visitors person genuine, educational, and enriching experiences person precocious importantly pinch Seoul’s crackdown connected unlicensed circuit guides. In summation to preserving its opinionated arsenic a apical recreation destination, nan metropolis hopes to boost nan section tourism manufacture and sphere taste practice by combating unlawful guiding activities.

The proposal for visitors to Seoul is straightforward: prime certified, knowledgeable circuit guides who tin supply precise, in-depth accusation and guarantee a stronger enslaved pinch nan city’s history and culture. A much professional, regulated, and sustainable tourism situation will use some visitors and section businesses arsenic nan metropolis strives to go a premier tourism destination.