CreatripTeam

Seoul authorities cracked down on unlicensed tour guides between Oct. 15–17, targeting busy tourist areas like Hongdae (a youthful arts and nightlife district), Myeongdong (a major shopping area), and Gyeongbokgung (a historic palace). Joint checks by the city, district offices, police and the Korea Tourist Guide Association verified 62 valid licenses via an app and found six cases of unlicensed guiding. Officials say some travel agencies hire uncertified guides who may spread inaccurate historical or cultural information or run itinerary-focused tours that lower Seoul’s tourism quality. Penalties include fines for unlicensed guides (first offense 1.5 million won) and sanctions or fines for agencies, up to business suspension or license cancellation. With foreign arrivals already at 12.3 million through August and on track to exceed 20 million this year, the city aims to strengthen trust in tourism services and protect Seoul’s reputation.