19 complaints filed over illegal maid cafe operations

2 cafes booked for Food Sanitation Act violations over paid dance shows

Sanitation officials from the Mapo-gu district office visit a concept cafe in the Hongdae area to explain the ban on hostess-style entertainment services and the standards for lawful operation. (Mapo-gu office)
Sanitation officials from the Mapo-gu district office visit a concept cafe in the Hongdae area to explain the ban on hostess-style entertainment services and the standards for lawful operation. (Mapo-gu office)

"They're running hostess-style entertainment services at a maid cafe."

This year through August, the Mapo-gu district office received 19 complaints related to maid cafes through government complaint channels, including the online public petition portal. Police caught two Hongdae maid cafes operating like adult entertainment venues, with staff dancing on stage for customers who paid extra.

The Mapo Police Station said Thursday that it carried out a crackdown on illegal hostess-style entertainment at maid cafes in the district from Aug. 12 to Monday. Maid cafes, which originated in Japan and arrived in Korea in 2023, are concept cafes where employees dressed as maids serve customers.

Police and the district office found that 29 maid cafes were operating in Mapo-gu. Most are registered as general restaurants. The Mapo Police Station selected 19 of them, deemed at high risk of illegal operation, for on-site inspections.

As a result, police caught two establishments where, after customers ordered certain paid menu items, a maid would dance on a stage installed inside the cafe in time with music. The two were booked on charges of violating operator compliance duties under the Food Sanitation Act.

Article 44, Clause 3 of the Food Sanitation Act bans food service establishments from drinking with customers or entertaining them with songs or dances to boost their mood.

Maid cafes have long drawn controversy over sexualizing employees' attire and services, with concerns also raised about serving minors and links to prostitution.

The Mapo Police Station gathered intelligence in advance and formed a joint inspection team with officers from neighboring police stations in Geumcheon-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu and Guro-gu to carry out the crackdown.

"We will work with the Mapo-gu district office to guide operators in correcting menus that pose legal risks, and continue regular inspections of irregular business practices," a police official said. "As the crackdowns continue, we hope to see a self-purifying effect where operators voluntarily stop illegal activities, and we will keep encouraging lawful operation."


kido@heraldcorp.com