Seoul authorities have caught a batch of illegal beauty shops that provided eyelash perms and extensions in officetels and other locations without business registration, or that employed unlicensed workers. Some shops that performed unlicensed medical-type procedures were also included.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Civil Affairs Judicial Police Bureau said on the 9th that it inspected 64 suspected illegal beauty shops in commercial districts and officetels from the 2nd of last month through the 8th of this month, uncovering a total of 19 violations.
Unregistered beauty businesses were the most common violation at 11 cases, followed by five cases of employing unlicensed beauty workers and three cases of medical-type procedures.
Among the cases, one shop was caught providing eyelash perm and extension services in an officetel equipped with beds and chairs without registering as a beauty business. Another shop was caught operating a makeup and stage-makeup beauty business after registering only for skin and nail beauty services.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, beauty business registration is only permitted at neighborhood living facilities under the Building Act. However, most of the unregistered shops caught this time were found to have operated in officetels, offices and other locations where registration is not possible.
The city plans to book the caught shops sequentially and proceed with investigations, while also requesting administrative measures from the district offices with jurisdiction.
Under the Public Health Control Act, operating a beauty business without registration can result in up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won. Working in a beauty business without a license carries a fine of up to 3 million won. Performing medical procedures without a medical license can result in up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won under the Medical Service Act.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is receiving tips related to illegal beauty shops through the "Seoul Smart Complaint" app and the Seoul city Eungdapso service. It also pays rewards of up to 200 million won following a review.
"Illegal beauty shops have poor hygiene conditions and are highly likely to use unverified equipment and medicines, posing a high risk of side effects," said Byun Kyung-ok, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Civil Affairs Judicial Police Bureau. "Please be sure to check whether a business registration certificate is posted before using a shop."
