Half of stores illegally sell alcohol to teenagers

Nearly half of “super supermarkets” and convenience stores in Seoul are illegally selling alcohol to teenagers, a survey by the city government showed Tuesday.

The city government announced the result of its one-month undercover inspection of retail stores, in which 40 teenage volunteers and college students participated.

A total of 43.5 percent of 200 SSMs and 55.2 percent of 1,000 convenience stores violated the Juvenile Protection Act that prohibits the sale of alcohol to those under 19.

They usually did not check ID cards to verify customers’ age before selling alcohol.

The city will release a guideline on liquor sales at retail stores, tightening up regulations to prevent illicit alcohol sales to juveniles.

(rene@heraldcorp.com)