Seoul City Strengthens Crackdown on 'Illegal Modified Vehicles'... Joint Inspections Planned Year-Round

Enforcement Results: Total of 175 Operations and Over 2,000 Vehicles Caught... Awareness Raised on Illegal Modifications and Unregistered Motorcycles
Continuous Year-Round Crackdowns on Major Arterial Roads This Year... Effectiveness Increased by Combining Quarterly Intensive and Regular Inspections

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government will conduct joint crackdowns on illegal vehicles this year as well to strengthen traffic order and ensure citizen safety. The continuous enforcement aims to alleviate citizen inconvenience caused by illegal vehicles such as illegally modified and unregistered motorcycles and to prevent the risk of safety accidents in advance.

On the 5th, Seoul announced that it has established a plan for joint crackdowns on illegal vehicles this year and will strengthen management. Seoul City, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, local police stations, autonomous districts, and related organizations such as the Korea Transportation Safety Authority will jointly conduct crackdowns throughout the year to implement effective enforcement aimed at eradicating illegally modified vehicles that threaten traffic safety and disrupt citizens' daily lives.

Modifications to a vehicle’s structure or devices?such as mufflers, lighting devices, shock absorbers (shocks), chassis, or frame?or adding attachments require approval from the Korea Transportation Safety Authority according to relevant laws. However, some illegally modify their vehicles without following these procedures, compromising vehicle stability and interfering with the safe driving of other vehicles. In particular, illegal modifications to mufflers and horns on motorcycles have caused loud noises while speeding through residential areas and major roads, leading to noise complaints from nearby residents.

To resolve complaints and strengthen traffic safety, active joint crackdowns have been promoted. Last year, a total of 2,079 cases were detected over 175 enforcement operations, increasing effectiveness. This year, motorcycle crackdowns will be further strengthened to effectively resolve complaints. Monthly joint crackdowns will be actively conducted focusing on major traffic areas such as Bukak Skyway, and comprehensive crackdowns and autonomous district-level routine enforcement systems will be continuously maintained in the first and second halves of the year.

Additionally, during July and August, when windows in residential areas are often open, intensive summer crackdowns will be conducted, and surprise crackdowns will be strengthened in major motorcycle activity areas. From October to November, focused crackdowns on illegal tuning and vehicles violating automobile safety standards will also be carried out. Illegal motorcycles caught during enforcement will be subject to criminal penalties or administrative sanctions under the Automobile Management Act.

Furthermore, to create a safe driving environment and alleviate citizens’ inconveniences, reports of illegal motorcycles can be made through response centers, the National Sinmungo, or the Safety Sinmungo. Violations will be verified and necessary measures will be taken accordingly.

Baek Ho, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, said, “Illegally modified motorcycles pose a great threat not only to drivers but also to the safety of others,” and added, “We ask for active cooperation from the industry, drivers, and citizens for traffic safety.”

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