Crackdown on Unreported Online Accommodation Brokerage…
Expanding Safety and Convenience in Daily Life with Real-Time Charging Station Info for Low-Emission Vehicles
- In November, a total of 86 statutes, including the Public Sanitation Control Act, will take effect.
Starting in November, various measures will be implemented to enhance public safety and convenience. These include prohibiting the brokerage of unreported and illegal accommodation services through online platforms, as well as establishing a system for monitoring and immediately blocking suicide-inducing information online. Furthermore, real-time information on charging facilities for electric and hydrogen vehicles will be provided, and a minimum guarantee system for lease deposits will be introduced to support victims of charter-lease (jeonse) fraud. The Ministry of Government Legislation (Minister Cho Won-cheol) announced that a total of 86 laws and regulations will newly take effect this November. The key details and enforcement dates of the forthcoming major statutes are as follows.
Prohibiting Unreported Illegal Accommodation Brokerage on Online Platforms and Imposing Administrative Fines (Public Health Control Act, November 12)
When mail-order brokers, such as online platforms, mediate sales at the request of accommodation operators, they must henceforth verify the operator's business registration certificate. If the business registration certificate cannot be verified, brokerage of the sale is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, if an unreported operation is identified, the broker must immediately delete the corresponding listing; failure to comply will result in an administrative fine of up to 10 million won. This measure aims to prevent reckless and illegal accommodation operations using online platforms and foster a transparent, safe lodging environment.
Dedicated Monitoring of Online Suicide-Inducing Information and Strengthening Immediate Blocking and Rescue Cooperation (Act on the Prevention of Suicide and the Creation of Culture of Respect for Life, November 12)
To protect people's lives from harmful online material, the Minister of Health and Welfare will actively monitor information networks for suicide-inducing content and identify its creators. When material is clearly identified as suicide-inducing, the Minister can request telecommunications service providers to take immediate blocking and deletion measures. In urgent situations, a legal basis has been established to promptly request investigation and rescue cooperation from emergency rescue agencies, such as the police and fire services. This early disruption of harmful information online will significantly reinforce the public safety net.
Providing Real-Time Information on Electric/Hydrogen Vehicle Charging Facilities and Establishing Legal Grounds for Dedicated Organizations (Clean Air Conservation Act, November 12)
To alleviate inconvenience for users of electric and hydrogen vehicles, the management obligations of charging facility operators and the dedicated management system will be further strengthened. Moving forward, charging facility operators must register installation details—such as the location and scale of chargers—on the computer network, and provide real-time usage information, including charger availability, charging fees, and malfunction status. Legal grounds have also been established to set and enforce management standards (e.g., requiring prompt repairs in case of breakdown), alongside new provisions to designate a dedicated organization to inspect and ensure proper facility management. This is expected to systemize low-emission vehicle charging infrastructure and greatly improve user convenience.
Introducing Minimum Guarantee System for Lease Deposits for Jeonse Fraud Victims and Expanding Support for Cooperatives (Special Act on Support for Victims of Jeonse Fraud and Housing Stability, November 13)
To assist victims of jeonse fraud in practically recovering their security deposits, a "Minimum Guarantee System" will be implemented. Under this system, if the total amount recovered by exercising opposing power or preferential payment rights is less than one-third of the total lease deposit (the minimum guaranteed amount), the government will provide support for the shortfall. An advance payment procedure for this minimum guaranteed amount will also be introduced. Additionally, new legal grounds allow local governments to offer administrative and financial support when cooperatives established by jeonse fraud victims purchase damaged housing or run leasing businesses targeting victims. This measure is expected to minimize victims' financial losses and strengthen housing independence support through cooperation between private entities and local governments.
