This is the Monday morning briefing. Few new policy updates came out over the weekend, but we have picked two items worth knowing for anyone running a lodging business and anyone who drives on expressways often.
Today’s 3 key points
- From November 12, online platforms will be prohibited from brokering lodgings that have not filed a business report. The draft amendment to the Enforcement Decree sets a fine of 5 million won per violation detected.
- Platforms are already removing unreported lodgings ahead of the effective date, so lodgings operating without a report may stop receiving bookings.
- From October 1, if you take the wrong expressway exit and re-enter through the same tollgate within 15 minutes, the 900 won base toll is waived up to 3 times a year.
1. Fines for platforms brokering illegal shared lodging take effect November 12
- What changes: The amended Public Health Control Act (Act No. 21098, promulgated November 11, 2025) adds a new Article 4-2 that prohibits online platforms from brokering lodging businesses that have not filed a business report. Until now only the person operating the lodging was subject to penalties; going forward, the platform that listed the lodging will also pay a fine.
- Statutory maximum fine: 10 million won (⚠️ verify against the original)
- Annexed table of the draft Enforcement Decree amendment pre-announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in July: 5 million won per violation detected (whether it has been finally promulgated ⚠️ verify against the original)
- According to Seoul Metropolitan Government figures, of the 357 unreported lodgings detected from January 2020 to August 2025, 351 (98.3%) were listed on online platforms.
- Who it affects: Lodging brokerage platforms, and anyone who has been running a house or officetel as shared lodging without a business report or registration. Operating a lodging business without a report can lead to a business closure order under Article 11 of the Public Health Control Act, and there are separate criminal penalty provisions (penalty level ⚠️ verify against the original).
- When: Takes effect Thursday, November 12, 2026. Platforms are already clearing out unreported lodgings now, during the autumn foliage season when bookings peak, and some existing reservations are being cancelled.
- A word from the administrative agent: To operate legally, you first need to decide the business type that fits the building. A general lodging business requires a business report under the Public Health Control Act, a rural homestay requires a report under the Rural Community Development and Rearrangement Act, and an urban homestay business for foreign tourists requires registration under the Tourism Promotion Act (with restrictions on domestic guests). Each type has different requirements for building use, floor area, and residence. Non-residential buildings such as officetels have a narrower choice of business types, so please check with your city, county, or district office before November 12 which type your lodging can be reported or registered under.
- Sources: Maeil Shinmun · Crackdown on illegal shared lodging from November 12, 5 million won fines for brokerage platforms, amended Public Health Control Act (Act No. 21098)
2. Base toll waived if you re-enter within 15 minutes after a wrong expressway exit, effective October 1
- What changes: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s toll reduction for mistaken expressway exits is now in effect. If you exit by mistake and re-enter through the same tollgate within 15 minutes, the base toll of 900 won is waived.
- Coverage: Closed-system tollgates on government-funded expressways operated by Korea Expressway Corporation
- Frequency: Up to 3 times a year
- Payment: Only vehicles using electronic payment such as Hi-pass
- Privately financed expressways are excluded, and the re-entry must also be onto a government-funded expressway to qualify.
- Who it affects: Drivers who use expressways with electronic payment such as Hi-pass
- When: Took effect Thursday, October 1, 2026. The waived amount is refunded automatically about 2 weeks later, or can be claimed through a refund request via the Hi-pass terminal.
- A word from the administrative agent: Cash payment, privately financed sections, and re-entry after more than 15 minutes do not qualify. If you met the conditions but the reduction has not been applied after 2 weeks, please note the date and time of travel and the tollgate name and contact Korea Expressway Corporation about a refund.
- Sources: KDI Economic Information Center · Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport material on toll reduction for mistaken expressway exits, Herald Economy · Toll waived if you return within 15 minutes after a wrong expressway exit
Deadlines to watch this week
- Friday, October 16: E-9 employment permit round 4 results scheduled to be announced (Ministry of Employment and Labor schedule, ⚠️ verify against the original)
- Monday, October 19: Comment deadline for the draft amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act (October 2 briefing)
- Tuesday, November 10: Comment deadline for the draft amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Urban Traffic Readjustment Promotion Act (traffic congestion charges)
- Wednesday, November 11: Comment deadline for the draft amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Recovery of Public Finance, the Enforcement Decree of the Essential Agricultural Materials Support Act, and the Enforcement Rules of the Private Teaching Institutes Act
- Thursday, November 12: Ban on platforms brokering unreported lodging businesses takes effect
- Friday, November 13: Comment deadline for the draft amendments to the Enforcement Rules of the Maritime Traffic Safety Act and the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Maritime Safety
This briefing is a guide compiled by Hwang Yunsang Administrative Agent Office based on publicly available information. Whether it applies to an individual case must be confirmed with the competent authority.