2010 will see new cleaned-up karaoke bars

New karaoke bars can be licensed from next year – but a whole host of requirements must first be met.
They are spelt out in a new government decree and represent an opportunity for the first karaoke bars to open since 2005.
The new laws are there to ensure karaoke stays clean and steers clear of social evils such as drugs and prostitution. To this end karaoke rooms must have clear glass doors. There must be also no internal alarms which could be used to alert misbehaving room users to police raids.
Meanwhile new legislation also states that night clubs must have at least 80 sq m of land and owners must be art and cultural school graduates.
Both karaoke bars and night clubs must be at least 200m from schools, hospitals, religious units, relics and government agencies. They are not allowed to open between 12pm to 8am. Karaoke bars located in residential areas must have the agreement of their neighbours.
Meanwhile online game outlets are not permitted to open between 10pm and 8am.
Other cultural services that need licenses are music and film CD/DVD business, art and fashion performance venues, cultural and art exhibitions and festival organisers.
Folk festivals organised periodically, tourism events and festivals organised for the second time or more don’t need licenses but organisers have to file written documents to the relevant agencies beforehand.
In early 2005, police discovered many violations at karaoke bars at night clubs. Many bar and discotheque operators were put on trial. In May 2005, the prime minister issued an instruction to halt licences granted to new karaoke bars throughout the country.
Decree 11 on management of cultural activities and cultural services was issued in 2006. After three years, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism surveyed key cities and provinces to compile this new decree to replace Decree 11.