South Korea Proposes Stricter Penalties for Taxi Overcharging

South Korea to Strengthen Penalties for Taxi Overcharging

The South Korean government has announced a proposed amendment to its taxi regulations, aiming to significantly increase penalties for drivers caught overcharging passengers, particularly foreign visitors. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) initiated the public comment period for these changes on May 8, 2026.

This amendment, part of the Enforcement Rule of the Act on the Development of the Taxi Transport Business, seeks to enhance the effectiveness of current regulations. It comes in response to a reported rise in incidents of taxi drivers overcharging foreign tourists, an issue that can negatively impact the nation’s image and tourism industry.

Under the proposed changes, drivers found guilty of demanding unfair fares will face a new, escalating disciplinary system:

• First violation: A 30-day suspension of their driver qualification.
• Second violation: A 60-day suspension of their driver qualification.
• Third violation: Permanent cancellation of their driver qualification, meaning they will no longer be allowed to operate a taxi.

This revised penalty structure represents a significant tightening of measures, designed to deter dishonest practices and ensure fair pricing for all passengers. The government hopes that by implementing these stricter regulations, it can foster a more reliable and trustworthy taxi service environment, particularly for international visitors.

Interested institutions, organizations, or individuals are invited to submit their opinions on the proposed amendment. The public consultation period will run until June 17, 2026. Feedback can be submitted online through the National Participation in Legislation Center (http://opinion.lawmaking.go.kr), an official platform for public input on legislative proposals in Korea. Alternatively, comments can be sent via mail to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Traffic Service Policy Division Manager) at Sejong Special Self-Governing City (Postal Code: 30103, Doum 6-ro 11) or by fax to 044-201-5582.

For further details on the amendment or to make inquiries, individuals may contact MOLIT’s Traffic Service Policy Division directly via phone at 044-201-4755 or email at kje41711@korea.kr. The full text of the proposed amendment is also available on MOLIT’s website (http://www.molit.go.kr) under the ‘Information Square – Legislation Information / Legislative & Administrative Notice’ section.

Source: 법제처 — Original Article (Korean)