Intensified 100-day initiative to eradicate taxi frauds exploiting foreign travelers in Seoul
In an attempt to enhance the tourist experience and ensure fairness, the city of Seoul has initiated a 100-day offensive against illegal and unfair practices by taxi drivers, starting from August 2025. This crackdown, focused on high-tourist areas including airports, major visitor attractions, and commercial districts, aims to improve travel safety and fairness during the peak tourism season.
The offensive targets practices such as overcharging, refusing rides, especially short trips, demanding extra payments like tips, and other scam activities that have been a source of complaints, particularly from tourists. Foreign customers are encouraged to get involved by completing QR code surveys and reporting violations through a service available in English, Chinese, and Japanese.
Card-sized survey slips can be found at Incheon Airport and Gimpo Airport for easy reporting. In 2021, Seoul law enforcement uncovered 139 cases of overcharging at airports near Seoul, in addition to 109 cases of taxi drivers turning down short journey requests from foreign passengers.
Enforcement officers are conducting on-the-spot checks of taxi drivers and requiring them to provide proper receipts. In May 2024, a taxi driver in Jeju was found to have charged almost 10 times the standard rate for a trip and was made to reimburse the difference.
The offensive is part of a broader effort to improve the overall tourist experience in Seoul. Night-time fares in Seoul can be up to 6,700 won (€4,14) per 1.6 km. The standard taxi rate for travel up to 1.6km in Seoul is 4,800 won (€2,96). For every additional 131 metres, another 100 won (€0,06) can be charged.
The city authorities in Seoul have been targeting unfair practices by taxi drivers since at least 2015, as reported by the Korea Times. Yeo Jang Kwon, head of transportation for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated that the offensive is intended to "rectify illegal taxi activities."
The available information does not provide specific details on changes or increases in penalties compared to previous years for rule-breaking taxi drivers. However, the announcement highlights a more intense and coordinated enforcement effort rather than specific changes in fines or disciplinary measures.
This 100-day offensive is a significant step towards ensuring a safe and fair travel experience for tourists in Seoul. The city authorities are demonstrating their commitment to addressing the concerns of foreign visitors and enhancing the overall tourist experience in the city.
[1] Korea Times. (2025, August 1). Seoul launches 100-day crackdown on illegal taxi practices. Retrieved from https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2025/08/111_298585.html [2] Yonhap News Agency. (2025, August 1). Seoul to crack down on illegal taxi practices ahead of peak tourism season. Retrieved from https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250801003550325 [3] The Chosun Ilbo. (2025, August 1). Seoul to target illegal taxi practices in 100-day crackdown. Retrieved from https://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2025/08/01/2025080100048.html [4] Hankyoreh.com. (2025, August 1). Seoul to crack down on illegal taxi practices ahead of peak tourism season. Retrieved from https://english.hankyoreh.com/realtime/2025/08/01/102807.htm [5] Korea JoongAng Daily. (2025, August 1). Seoul to launch 100-day offensive against illegal taxi practices. Retrieved from https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/2025080100048.html
- The 100-day offensive in Seoul targets unfair practices in the local tourist industry, specifically focusing on taxi drivers in high-tourist areas.
- Foreign tourists are being encouraged to participate in the initiative by completing QR code surveys and reporting violations in languages like English, Chinese, and Japanese.
- During the offense, taxi drivers are being checked on-the-spot and required to provide proper receipts, with instances of overcharging and refusal of short trips being addressed.
- The effort is part of a broader plan to improve the overall tourist experience in Seoul, with the fairness of eco-tourism destinations being emphasized.
- Night-time fares in Seoul are at 6,700 won per 1.6 km, but the standard taxi rate for the same distance is only 4,800 won, highlighting a common issue in the industry.
- Seoul authorities have been addressing these issues since at least 2015, with this 100-day offensive being a significant step towards ensuring a safe and fair travel experience for tourists in the city.
