[Report] "Please Have Hajun Follow the Law" 'Risky' Unprotected Sloped Parking Still Ongoing

"On the First Day of 'Hajun Act' Enforcement, Safety Risks Persist in Parking Lots Near an Elementary School in Seoul
"The Law Was Made, So Please Follow It" Parents Remain Anxious"

A sloped parking lot located within a school zone. From the 25th, the first day of the enforcement of the 'Hajun Act,' it is mandatory to install wheel chocks in sloped parking lots, but most of the parking lots inspected on that day were not complying with this law. Photo by Seulgi Kim, Intern Reporter sabiduriakim@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] "Even though the law has been enacted, adults still don't follow it."

On the first day of the so-called 'Hajun Law' enforcement on the 25th, a survey of parking lots around an elementary school in Jung-gu, Seoul, revealed that most parking lots were not complying with the law.

This law was created following the death of Choi Ha-jun, who was killed in an accident in October 2017 when a car parked in the parking lot of Seoul Land, an amusement park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, rolled down.

For sloped parking lots, the law requires the installation of wheel chocks and other anti-slip facilities to prepare for potential safety accidents.

A parent, Mr. A, who was picking up his child from an elementary school, lamented, "I don't think making a law will really protect the children well. Won't it take time for the parking lot operators to prepare wheel chocks and such?" He added, "Because of this, it seems ineffective. If the law is going to be enforced, I hope it is done properly to protect young children."

In reality, the parking lot on the slope near this school was full of parked cars, but there were no wheel chocks to prevent vehicle movement or warning signs indicating the slope, as required by the 'Hajun Law.'

In this situation, some elementary students leaving school ran behind parked cars or played around with friends as they passed by.

If a vehicle were to roll down the sloped parking lot that does not comply with the 'Hajun Law,' it could lead to a dangerous safety accident.

A vehicle parked on a slope without a wheel chock. Photo by Seulgi Kim, intern reporter sabiduriakim@asiae.co.kr

Given these circumstances, parents' anxiety remains high. Parent B, who was pushing a stroller with an elementary school child, said, "There are many sloped parking lots around here, but not a single wheel chock has been installed. Every time I send my child home, I worry that a parked car might slip and roll down."

B added, "If it costs money for parking lot operators to install wheel chocks or anti-slip facilities, the government should cover it. Since the 'Min-sik Law' has already passed, I think installing such facilities is not a big deal."

Amid growing anxiety among elementary students and parents due to poor enforcement of the 'Hajun Law,' the parking lot management office was completely unaware of the law's existence.

A parking lot official near the elementary school said, "Hajun Law? What is that? We haven't received any information about it." He raised his voice, saying, "How can we install wheel chocks for every vehicle? It doesn't make sense. It just feels like more hassle."

Vehicles parked on a sloped parking lot within a school zone. Since it is a school zone, many children pass through, and unexpected situations are inevitable, making compliance with the "Hajun Act" urgently needed in this parking lot. Photo by Seulgi Kim, Intern Reporter sabiduriakim@asiae.co.kr

Drivers called for improved awareness. They argued that beyond complying with the 'Hajun Law,' drivers themselves should watch out for elementary students during parking.

Driver C, who parked near an elementary school, said, "Since this is a law to protect children, I think it should definitely be followed. In my case, when I park on a slope, I turn the steering wheel so the wheels face inward. Or if there are wheel chocks in the parking lot, I look for them and place them under the wheels." He emphasized, "I think this is basic etiquette that drivers should observe."

Another driver, D, pointed out, "Instead of just making laws, driver education should come first to ensure proper driving." However, he also expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "Because of the 'Min-sik Law,' I already feel stressed when driving, and it seems like more laws are just tightening the noose on drivers."

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, with the enforcement of the 'Hajun Law,' sloped parking lots must install wheel chocks and other anti-slip facilities.

Warning signs indicating the slope must also be installed mandatorily. If it is difficult to install wheel chocks on the ground, they should be stored separately so that drivers can use them anytime.

There are about 1,050 applicable parking lots nationwide. These parking lots must complete these measures by December 26 of this year.

Additionally, new parking lots that can accommodate more than 400 cars must also have pedestrian safety facilities such as speed bumps and stop lines. Parking lots that violate these rules face business suspension or fines.

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