Joint inspection targets 8 major clubs in Gangnam, Seocho, Yongsan-gu
Police, local authorities check for drug and food hygiene violations
Police, fire department officials and local government authorities launched a joint crackdown on major entertainment districts in Seoul ahead of Halloween. No drug-related violations have been found so far.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said a joint inspection was conducted late Friday in entertainment districts and areas with high concentrations of foreign nationals in Gangnam, Seocho and Yongsan-gu.
Eight major clubs were included in the sweep. Police checked for violations of the Narcotics Control Act while district offices examined compliance with food hygiene regulations. No narcotics violations were detected.
The operation involved narcotics investigation units and crime prevention teams from local police stations, as well as sanitation civil servants from district offices.
The inspection was part of the second-half pan-government special narcotics crackdown that has been under way since Aug. 1. Police expanded the scope of enforcement to focus on clubs, entertainment venues and foreigner-dense areas expected to draw large crowds ahead of Halloween.
"We conducted the crackdown focusing on clubs, entertainment venues and areas with high concentrations of foreign nationals where large crowds are expected to gather ahead of Halloween," a police official said. "We will continue to strengthen inspection and enforcement activities in vulnerable areas."
Meanwhile, police are deploying about 7,800 officers — including mobile units and detectives — to 28 crowd-prone locations nationwide through Sunday as part of special Halloween safety management. At each location, authorities plan to guide crowd dispersal through separated pedestrian lanes, one-way traffic flow and vehicle controls.
rim@heraldcorp.com
