Tougher Penalties for Overcharging in Tourism Sector

South Korea’s Cabinet approved revisions to the Enforcement Decree of the Tourism Promotion Act, imposing heavier penalties for overcharging in accommodation and restaurant sectors, effective August 4, 2026 . Operators of hanok (traditional Korean houses) that fail to post or comply with price lists will face a five-day business suspension for a first violation, replacing the previous warning . Taxi drivers overcharging passengers will face an immediate 30-day license suspension .

B2B TAKEAWAY: Travel buyers and agents should ensure contracted Korean suppliers comply with the new pricing transparency regulations to avoid reputational risks for clients.