Cafes charging toilet fees for non-customers spark debate in South Korea

It was sparked off by a viral photo this month of a kiosk notice showing a fee of 2,000 won (US$1.35) for use of the restroom by those who don’t buy beverages.

Public opinion split quickly, with some backing cafe owners for pushing back against non-paying users and others criticized it as “unnecessarily harsh” and lacking empathy, Korean news site Chosun reported.

One said the fee was reasonable, noting that many people enter cafes solely to use the restroom without making a purchase.

From the owner’s standpoint, this can feel inconsiderate, the user added.

Others took a harsher view.

But another commenter described the charge as excessive and said it came across as “cold-hearted.”

Legal experts said the practice is not prohibited.

Lawyer Oh Soo-jin was quoted as saying by The Korea Times: “Cafe restrooms are private facilities meant for customers. They are not considered public restrooms under the Public Toilets Act, and owners are entitled to set conditions for their use.”

She added that as long as the fee is clearly stated, it is a “legitimate condition of transaction.”

Last December there was another viral incident of a customer being reported to the police for “obstructing business” for using a cafe restroom without making a purchase.

The person who used the restroom apologized and offered to buy a low-priced drink, but the owner insisted they order coffee, blocked their exit and a physical altercation followed before the police were called.

Responding officers determined that the customer had not obstructed business and that using the restroom was not a punishable offense.

Paid public restrooms are common in many parts of Europe to cover maintenance and cleaning fees, often in high-traffic areas like train stations, tourist spots and city centers.

But in many parts of Asia, including Vietnam, businesses tend to be more relaxed about restroom access for non-customers, and there are rarely run-ins.