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Busan Metropolitan City Launches Special Summer Food Safety and Hygiene Inspection to Strengthen Trust in Its Global Tourism Destination Status

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Park Heong-joon, announced that it will conduct a “Special Investigation to Establish Basic Hygiene Standards During the Summer Tourism Season” from June 29 through July 31 for five weeks to ensure that both residents and visitors can enjoy food services with confidence during the peak summer travel period.

The investigation is being carried out to create a safer food environment and strengthen confidence in Busan’s hygiene standards as a global gastronomic tourism destination. It will do so by intensively inspecting hygiene management practices at restaurants and other food establishments frequently used by tourists, in response to the recent increase in foreign visitors to Busan and growing demand for summer tourism.

In particular, as the number of foreign tourists visiting Busan continues to rise to record levels and summer vacation travel is expected to further increase visitor concentrations, the city will conduct proactive inspections to secure food safety at key locations. These include major tourist attractions such as beaches, K-food restaurants near traditional markets serving dishes such as gukbap, bibimbap, and bulgogi, seafood establishments including raw fish restaurants, and food delivery businesses.

Inspection targets will primarily include businesses with previous violations, establishments suspected of poor hygiene conditions, and businesses that have been the subject of complaints or reports concerning country-of-origin labeling. Special attention will be given to establishments where violations of origin labeling regulations or inadequate food hygiene management are suspected.

The main areas of investigation include false or misleading country-of-origin labeling of seafood products at raw fish restaurants and similar establishments; the use or storage of unlabeled or expired products for cooking and sales purposes; violations of food handling standards and specifications; the reuse of leftover food; and failure to display price lists, among other compliance violations.

If unlawful activities are discovered during the investigation, Busan Metropolitan City plans to take strict action, including criminal prosecution and notification of the relevant authorities in accordance with applicable laws.

Under the Act on Origin Labeling of Agricultural and Fishery Products, false or misleading origin labeling may result in imprisonment for up to seven years or a fine of up to KRW 100 million. The use or storage of unlabeled or expired products for cooking and sales purposes may result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to KRW 30 million under the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods and the Food Sanitation Act. Violations of food handling standards and specifications may result in imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to KRW 50 million under the Food Sanitation Act.

Meanwhile, the City’s Special Judicial Police Division is actively accepting reports from citizens. Information regarding related illegal activities may be reported to the Food Investigation Team at 051-888-3091 or 051-888-3095.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “Busan is further strengthening its status as a global tourism city, with the number of foreign visitors reaching record-high levels. In line with growing tourism demand, we will do our utmost to ensure food safety and strengthen hygiene management so that both residents and visitors can enjoy Busan’s food offerings with confidence. We will continue working to make Busan a tourism city that visitors want to return to again and again.”