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Busan Metropolitan City to Conduct Special Crackdown on Food Safety at Transportation Hubs and Nearby Tourist Attractions Used by Tourists

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Park Heong-joon, announced that it will conduct a planned investigation into food safety at transportation hubs used by tourists and nearby tourist attractions for six weeks from May 4 to June 12.

This investigation aims to comprehensively examine illegal and unsanitary practices that may occur during food handling at restaurants used by domestic and international visitors to Busan, thereby ensuring food safety and preventing unlawful activities.

In particular, with a sharp increase in domestic and international visitors expected due to events such as the BTS World Tour “BTS IN Busan” performance scheduled for June, the initiative is being promoted to proactively secure the safety of food consumed by tourists.

The Special Judicial Police will focus inspections on restaurants around airports, bus passenger terminals, railway stations, and major tourist stops, as well as nearby tourist areas experiencing increased demand from foreign visitors.

In addition, inspection targets will be selected based on a comprehensive assessment of risk factors, including establishments with prior violations, those suspected of poor hygiene conditions, and those subject to complaints or reports related to country-of-origin labeling. In particular, establishments at risk of violating origin labeling regulations or failing in food hygiene management will be preemptively inspected.

The main areas of investigation include false or misleading labeling of seafood origins at sashimi restaurants, failure to label, use or storage of expired products for cooking and sales purposes, violations of food handling standards and specifications, failure to post price lists, and reuse of leftover food.

If illegal activities are identified during the investigation, strict measures will be taken in accordance with relevant laws, including criminal prosecution and notification to competent authorities.

In cases of false or misleading country-of-origin labeling, penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 100 million won may be imposed under the Act on Origin Labeling of Agricultural and Fishery Products. Failure to label or the use or storage of expired products for cooking and sales purposes may result in penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million won under the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods and the Food Sanitation Act. Violations of food handling standards and specifications may result in penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million won under the Food Sanitation Act.

Meanwhile, the city’s Special Judicial Police Division is actively accepting reports from citizens. Reports of related illegal activities can be submitted to the Food Investigation Team (051-888-3091, 3095).

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “In preparation for the increase in tourism demand due to events such as the BTS performance in Busan, we have proactively planned this investigation to ensure food safety and prevent illegal activities so that anyone can enjoy Busan’s diverse culinary offerings with confidence.” He added, “We will do our utmost to ensure that Busan is remembered by visitors from around the world as a global culinary tourism city that is safe and enjoyable.”