Foreign taxi fare complaints in Seoul exceed 6,000 but few result in action
Over the past five years more than 6,000 foreign visitors lodged complaints about taxi overcharges in Seoul, yet administrative measures were taken in only about 3 percent of cases.
Seoul city officials recorded 6,481 foreign complaints of taxi fare overcharging from 2021 through August, according to a lawmaker. Administrative responses covered only 204 cases, representing roughly 3.1 percent of the total. Of those, 28 drivers faced license suspension or cancellation, while the remaining 176 received warnings.
The city closed 4,368 complaints internally, citing verification challenges or voluntary withdrawal. Although a 2013 rule allows affected foreigners to claim up to 500,000 won in compensation, no payouts have been made, a point highlighted by Rep. Mo Gyeong-jong of the Democratic Party of Korea, who urged reforms to protect both complainants and diligent drivers.
Why it matters
The gap between complaints and enforcement reveals weaknesses in consumer protection for visitors in Seoul.
In this story
