QR Survey for Foreigners (Image courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government)
SEOUL, July 3 (Korea Bizwire) — In a bid to root out taxi overcharging and service refusals targeting foreign visitors, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Wednesday a new crackdown initiative that leverages QR code-based reporting and strengthened on-site enforcement at major transportation hubs.
Beginning last month, the city began distributing business card-sized survey cards embedded with QR codes to international travelers at Incheon and Gimpo airports.
The cards, featuring iconic images of Seoul’s tourist sites, allow passengers to quickly report misconduct such as fare gouging, refusal of service, or failure to use a meter. The surveys are available in English, Chinese, and Japanese.
City officials say the updated survey system is designed to make it easier for tourists to voice complaints, particularly when time constraints at departure gates make interviews impractical.
The QR-based reports are linked directly to Seoul’s vehicle enforcement platform, enabling authorities to impose fines and penalties based on submitted data.
In 2023, the city conducted over 7,400 in-person interviews, uncovering 345 cases of illegal activity such as unauthorized fare hikes and operations outside designated areas. Violators faced administrative actions including fines, license suspensions, and in some cases, revocation.
The crackdown also includes deploying multilingual officers at key tourist hotspots such as Myeongdong, Hongdae, Itaewon, and Gangnam Station, as well as maintaining a constant monitoring presence at airport terminals.
“Tourists should be able to enjoy their visit to Seoul without worrying about transportation fraud,” said Yeo Jang-kwon, head of the city’s transportation division. “We are committed to improving both the transparency and reliability of taxi services through effective enforcement and accessible feedback mechanisms.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
