Police have conducted an intensive crackdown on illegal business practices at maid cafes in the Mapo-gu area of Seoul over the past month.

The Seoul Mapo Police Station announced that inspections were carried out from August 12 to September 7 targeting 19 maid cafes within its jurisdiction deemed to have a high risk of illegal operations.

The crackdown was conducted by a joint inspection team formed by police officers from four neighboring police stations—Mapo, Geumcheon, Yeongdeungpo, and Guro—to secure specialized enforcement personnel and enhance the effectiveness of the inspections.

Key targets of the crackdown included: employing minors and repeatedly involving them in conversations that cause sexual embarrassment; having staff members drink alcohol with customers or entertain them through singing and dancing; and having staff members take "sticker photos" with customers outside the business premises in exchange for money.

As a result of the crackdown, two businesses were caught operating by taking orders for specific paid menu items and having maids dance to music on a stage set up inside the establishment.

Police have booked these businesses for violating compliance matters for business operators under the Food Sanitation Act.

An official from the Mapo Police Station emphasized, "Going forward, we will collaborate with the district office to guide them in correcting menus with potential legal violations, and we will continue monitoring and conducting periodic inspections against irregular business operations."

(Photo: Provided by Mapo-gu, Yonhap News)