Latest news with #Myeongdong
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Seoul to crack down on taxi drivers overcharging and refusing rides to foreign tourists
Authorities in Seoul have launched a crackdown on taxi drivers who unfairly treat foreign tourists during the vacation season. The Seoul municipal government on Wednesday announced a 100-day crackdown to target illegal taxi activities such as overcharging, demanding tips, and refusing to pick up passengers for short rides. The crackdown will mostly focus on airports and tourist attractions such as the Myeong-dong shopping district in the South Korean capital. The crackdown is designed to 'rectify illegal taxi activities ahead of the peak tourism season in South Korea ', said Yeo Jang Kwon, head of the transportation office at the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The base fare for a standard taxi ride up to 1.6km is 4,800 won (£2.6) after which 100 won (£0.05) is added every 131 metres. At night, the base fares increase, ranging from 5,800 to 6,700 won (£3.1-3.6), according to local media reports. Seoul authorities have been organising dedicated crackdowns to address illegal taxi activities since 2015, Chosun Biz reported. Despite these measures, taxi drivers allegedly continue their illegal activities by moving their locations to evade police. Authorities said this year's initiative had targeted 139 cases of overcharging at airports near Seoul and 109 cases of taxi drivers refusing to accept foreign passengers for short rides so far. The new measures involve deploying enforcement personnel for focused on-site crackdowns, expanding efforts based on QR code surveys from foreign tourists, enhancing systems such as taxi receipt labelling, and imposing stricter penalties. Millions of foreign tourists visit South Korea each year, lured by the rising popularity of Korean culture, music and film in mainstream media. Nearly 7.21 million foreign tourists visited South Korea until the end of May this year, up 14.7 per cent from the previous year, according to media reports. China, Japan, Taiwan, and the US were among the leading countries of origin for tourists visiting South Korea. The country is expected to receive a record 20 million foreign tourists this year, boosting sluggish domestic consumption, according to a report by the Hyundai Research Institute. In recent years, foreign travellers have frequently filed complaints about taxi drivers overcharging, refusing to use the meter, or taking unnecessarily long routes, the Korea Times reported. Last year, taxi-related grievances accounted for nearly 19 per cent of all complaints reported to the Korea Tourism Organisation. A taxi driver was caught overcharging a Chinese tourist for a ride from the Jeju international airport to a hotel near Hamdeok Beach, the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Police Agency said in May 2024. The driver collected 200,000 won (£108) for a trip that should have cost 23,000 won (£12.4) and was ordered to refund the overcharged amount of 177,000 won (£95.8).
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How Labubu mania is taking over Korea, from customer fights to crazy resale market
'Labubu is only available with a purchase ticket.' This was the response from a staff member at Pop Mart's Myeongdong shop in central Seoul, South Korea, on June 30 when asked if one could buy a key ring of the Chinese character Labubu. The answer meant that only customers who had secured a preassigned ticket through an online lottery could purchase Labubu products, including dolls and key rings, on specific dates. On this particular day, only display items were available. Labubu's explosive popularity in Korea has caused chaotic scenes, including long queues before store openings and even physical altercations between customers. As a result, Pop Mart has halted in-store sales entirely. Originally designed in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu was commercialised in 2019 after Chinese toy retailer Pop Mart obtained exclusive licensing rights. Photo: TNS
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Lotte Hotel Seoul Has A Hotel-Within-A-Hotel for A Luxurious Stay
Mugunghwa restaurant at Lotte Hotel Seoul Lotte Hotel Seoul Seoul's hotel landscape is highly competitive, with outposts of the world's most established names in hospitality, from Conrad to Four Seasons, peppered throughout the city. There's one name, however, that even the most experienced globetrotters may not be familiar with. With a history dating back to 1973, Lotte Hotels and Resorts is South Korea's most established hospitality brand. Fittingly, Lotte's presence across the peninsula is robust and diverse, ranging from the budget-conscious acccommodations (L7, Lotte City Hotels) to premium options. This is when Lotte Hotel Seoul enters the picture. Opened in 1979—years before South Korea's capital morphed into the cosmopolitan city it's recognized as today—this property has long been cherished by locals for its classic design, convenient address in Myeongdong, and direct access to the famed Lotte Department Store. A Premier Room at Lotte Hotel Seoul's Executive Tower Lotte Hotel Seoul But what many people, even in-the-know Seoulites, may not be aware of is that Lotte Hotel Seoul offers a luxurious hotel-within-a-hotel experience. Unveiled in 2018, the property's Executive Tower offers a more discreet and luxurious stay than the Main Tower. Rather than a crowded ground-floor lobby, you check in at the 14th-floor's serene, lounge-like area, where a welcome beverage and dedicated staff await. The 278 spacious and spotless guest rooms and suites bathed in amethyst and beige, come with high-quality amenities like Evian water that's replenished by the attentive housekeeping staff daily, scented Diptyque toiletries in the spa-like marble bathrooms, and bedside tablets for customizing lighting and temperature. The views, which range from the glittering city below to Namsan Tower, are equally impressive. Perched high on the 38th floor of Lotte Hotel Seoul, Mugunhwa is one of Seoul's best high-end fine dining Korean restaurants. Lotte Hotel Seoul Though the property is home to six distinct dining concepts, including the swanky French Pierre Gagnaire Seoul and La Seine, one of Seoul's best buffet restaurants, it's Mugunghwa — the name comes from South Korea's national flower — that shouldn't be missed. Perched high on the 38th floor, this restaurant specializing in refined prix fixe menus, including one for vegetarians, of nutritious, royal court Korean cuisine promotes a music-free setting so you can fully enjoy your meal and the city views. Standout courses in the Tae Baek tasting menu include 'Platter of Nine Delicacies,' colorful vegetables and tender abalone accompanied by delicate crepes for wrapping, and the simple, but sublime bamboo-steamed rice with assorted banchan and seaweed soup. The staff, too, is just as lovely; manager Sua Lee is warm, knowledgable, and puts every guest as ease. La Cime is Lotte Hotel Seoul's premium lounge for guests of the Executive Tower. Lotte Hotel Seoul To make a stay here even more enjoyable, book an Executive Tower accommodations with access to La Cime, a premium lounge on the 34th floor with dedicated service and all-day culinary presentations. While other hotel club lounges in town can get crowded, especially during evenings, there was always plenty of space to spread out at La Cime. As one of Seoul's best hotel lounges, La Cime offers tantalizing all-day culinary presentations, along with great views of the ciy. Lotte Hotel Seoul As for the food and drink presentations, they rival what you'd expect at any high-end establishment—and more than make up for the price for access to La Cime. Breakfast thoughtfully mixes Korean and Western staples, while afternoon tea is a sweet antedote to the afternoon slump. (You even get a pretty bowl of bingsu, finely shaved ice topped with assorted sweet ingredients like red beans, condensed milk, and chewy rice cakes. Evenings, however, are when La Cime really shines: imagine free-flowing Champagne and whiskey, savory canapés and hot entrees, and daily chef creations like freshly-carved beef—all best paired with the breathtaking views. More From Forbes Forbes What It's Like Inside Signiel Seoul, One Of The World's Tallest Hotels Forbes A Stylish Insider's Guide To Seoul By Acclaimed Designer Teo Yang Forbes After Almost 20 Years, Park Hyatt Seoul Remains The Best Place To Stay In Gangnam
