[Report] "Easier to Cross the Street" vs "A Bit Excessive" After 2 Months of Minsik Law... Visiting a School Zone

Two Months Since Minsik Law Enforcement... Mixed Public Reactions
"Children's Safety First" vs "Some Excessive Aspects"
Kim Minsik's Father: "I Don't View Revisions and Supplements Negatively"

On the 11th, a sign indicating the entrance to a school zone was installed in front of an elementary school in Jung-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Juhyung Lim, intern reporter skepped@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Juhyung Lim] "The kids come first. What if we arrive a bit late?", "It does feel a bit excessive."

About two months after the enforcement of the so-called 'Minsik Law,' which strengthens penalties for traffic accidents occurring in school zones, residents near an elementary school school zone in Jung-gu, Seoul, expressed mixed reactions on the afternoon of the 11th.

The 'Minsik Law,' officially the 'Road Traffic Act Amendment' and the 'Partial Amendment to the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes,' passed the National Assembly last December and has been in effect since April 25.

These laws include provisions such as mandatory installation of speed cameras in school zones and aggravated penalties for traffic accidents involving children in school zones.

While many agree that these laws are essential for the safe commuting of children to and from school, some argue that the aggravated penalty provisions are too harsh and that placing full responsibility for child traffic accidents on drivers is unfair, calling for revisions to the law.

Students heading home from elementary school are preparing to cross the crosswalk. / Photo by Juhyung Lim, Intern Reporter skepped@asiae.co.kr

Amid ongoing controversy, the school zone near an elementary school in Jung-gu visited during dismissal time on the afternoon of the 11th was neat, with no illegally parked vehicles.

Occasionally, trucks, taxis, and passenger cars turning onto the road where the school zone is located slowed down to speeds below 30 km/h upon seeing the 'Children Protection Zone' sign. Groups of students heading home crossed the crosswalks without hesitation.

A man in his 60s, Mr. A, who lives in a residential area near the school zone, showed a firm stance that the Minsik Law is necessary to protect children. He said, "These days, some people complain about this law, but I don't think that's right. People’s lives come first; what’s the big deal if cars go a bit slower?"

Mr. B, a worker in his 30s, said, "I think the Minsik Law should be strengthened even more. It’s fine now because it’s afternoon, but I’ve seen cars speeding down the road very fast early in the morning or at night. It’s too soon to feel safe yet," he emphasized.

Last December, a police officer was monitoring illegal vehicle activities in front of an elementary school in Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, some expressed that commuting to and from school has become more inconvenient since the Minsik Law was enacted.

Ms. C (47), who sends her child to the elementary school every morning, acknowledged, "I admit that worries about children's traffic accidents have lessened," but added, "However, as a parent who drives a child to school every morning, there are many inconveniences. Traffic control starts far from the school, so there is no proper place to park the car."

Mr. D, a worker in his 20s, said, "Because of children’s nature, you never know when they might step onto the crosswalk, so crossing the school zone is nerve-wracking every time. I fully agree that student safety is the priority, but personally, I think the law is somewhat excessive."

A school zone of an elementary school in Jung-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Juhyung Lim, intern reporter skepped@asiae.co.kr

Elementary school students unanimously said that crossing crosswalks has become much easier since the Minsik Law was implemented. Fifth grader E (12) and his friends said, "Unlike before, we don’t have to rush across the street, so it’s comfortable."

The Minsik Law was enacted following an accident in September last year in a school zone in Asan, Chungnam, where a vehicle hit the Kim Minsik brothers crossing a crosswalk; the older brother died, and the younger brother sustained injuries requiring two weeks of treatment.

After the law was enacted, some criticized it as being too harsh on drivers. On March 23, a netizen posted a petition titled "Request to Amend the Minsik Law" on the Blue House National Petition Board, which received over 350,000 signatures.

In the petition, the petitioner argued, "It is unfair to place all responsibility on drivers even when it is difficult for them to avoid (traffic accidents). Since 20.5% of child traffic accidents are caused by crosswalk violations?twice as high as adults?it is unfair to demand that drivers always prevent accidents," calling for amendments to the law.

As the controversy spread, Kim Taeyang, father of Kim Minsik, said, "I understand the concerns and confusion of drivers. If there is room for misunderstanding, I hope the government will clarify it. If there are problems with the Minsik Law, I do not oppose revising and supplementing it to make it a perfect law," he said.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.