Seoul City in Bid to Improve Tourist Environment

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is offering a reward of W500,000 for reporting taxis that charge foreign tourists exorbitant fares (US$1=W1,089). The decision was made on Wednesday.

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Reports can be made to district offices or the city's call center at 120 with evidence such as receipts and photos.

Also, the city government decided to ban the opening of new cosmetics shops, massage parlors, opticians, bakeries, Chinese restaurants and mobile phone shops in the traditional district of Insa-dong.

It will also introduce a certificate system for shops selling authentic traditional products like paper, stationery, crafts and antiques, over concerns that cheap tat from China and other developing countries is taking over the streets.