Gyeongnam Special Envoy, crackdown on bathhouse business starting on the 9th... Prevent fire and infectious diseases

The Gyeongnam Provincial Special Judicial Police (hereinafter referred to as the Special Police) announced on the 7th that in response to the increase in the use of steam baths and sauna facilities during the winter, a special planned crackdown will be conducted on bathhouse businesses from the 9th to the 27th, focusing on fire and infectious disease risk factors.

Major targets of crackdown include establishments that provide sauna services under signs such as 'healing cafes' and 'low-temperature saunas', rural lodging facilities that operate saunas using wood-burning stoves, and businesses that provide bathing services by installing bathtubs and beds in separate spaces.

The special investigation focuses on whether the bathhouse business operates after reporting it to the local government, whether business compliance regulations are followed, whether there is a risk of fire in electric heating devices used in closed spaces, and whether non-medical personnel perform unlicensed medical practices such as cupping and acupuncture within the bathhouse.

The Public Health Management Act stipulates that anyone who operates an unreported bathhouse will be subject to imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won, and the Medical Service Act stipulates that anyone who is not a medical professional will be subject to imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.