[Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government]
[Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Civil Justice Police Bureau will conduct a special crackdown on venues prohibited from admitting or employing minors — including holdem pubs and room cafes — from Aug. 3 to Aug. 28, ahead of the summer school break, to protect young people from harmful environments.

A holdem pub is a portmanteau of "holdem," referring to the card game, and "pub." Due to concerns that such venues promote gambling and a culture of speculation, they were designated off-limits to minors for both entry and employment in May 2024. Operators who employ minors at such establishments face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won ($20,200). Allowing minors to enter carries a penalty of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won. Room cafes, which feature enclosed private-room layouts, have been banned from admitting or employing minors since April 2023 under the Youth Protection Act. Minors may only enter room cafes where the walls above 1.3 meters from the floor are made of transparent material, allowing a clear view of the interior from outside.

During the crackdown, the bureau plans to conduct joint inspections with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and police, focusing on illegal activity such as underage entry and strengthening the effectiveness of on-site enforcement.

Joint inspections with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and police will focus on venues prohibited from admitting or employing minors within educational environment protection zones — areas within 200 meters of schools — as well as locations near universities, commercial districts and other areas where minors have easy access.

The crackdown will focus on four areas: whether minors are present on the premises, whether venues display the required notices prohibiting underage entry and employment, whether alcohol or tobacco is being sold to minors, and whether establishments are complying with the Youth Protection Act and other relevant laws. Operators who allow minors to enter or employ them at venues where such activity is prohibited may face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won under the Youth Protection Act.

Selling alcohol, tobacco or other substances harmful to minors can result in up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won. Establishments that fail to post the required notices prohibiting underage entry and employment will also face strict action under relevant laws.

Lee Chang-seok, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Civil Justice Police Bureau, urged operators and staff at venues off-limits to minors to fully comply with their obligations and relevant regulations to help protect young people. "If illegal activity is confirmed — such as allowing minors to enter or selling alcohol to them — we ask citizens to actively report it," he said.


cook@heraldcorp.com