Vendors to roam stadium seats selling hot dogs, fried chicken at baseball games

Fans at baseball stadiums will soon be able to buy hot dogs, fried chicken and other prepared foods directly from their seats.

The Regulatory Rationalization Committee's public welfare subcommittee and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced Monday they will allow mobile vending of prepared foods inside sports facilities such as baseball stadiums.

While some stadiums have sold beer in the stands, unclear regulations had in effect barred mobile sales of prepared foods, forcing fans to wait in long lines at concession stands.

The two agencies said they will permit the practice through an authoritative legal interpretation as part of proactive administration. Vendors will be allowed to sell items including hot dogs, churros and fried chicken, and beverages and ice cream will also be permitted as long as proper storage temperatures are maintained.

The two agencies said the reform was prompted by a proposal from Park Yong-jin, vice chairman of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, who called for improving fan convenience and bringing the system in line with global standards amid the growing popularity of professional baseball.

However, the agencies plan to issue hygiene and safety guidelines to the industry in advance to protect public health and prevent food poisoning. The guidelines will cover requirements such as keeping food preparation areas clean and requiring vendors who handle food directly to undergo health screenings before selling.

"The government being indifferent to the inconveniences people face in their daily lives is no different from infringing on their rights," Park said. "We will continue to deliver small but tangible regulatory reforms through proactive legal interpretation and systemic improvements."