Life-risking sprint in Boryeong Undersea Tunnel with proof shots... "Strict action against illegal acts"

People taking photos inside the Boryeong Undersea Tunnel and running on the road.
[Photo by Chungnam Provincial Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Dangerous illegal activities are repeatedly occurring inside the Boryeong Undersea Tunnel, the longest undersea tunnel in South Korea.

According to the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency on the 6th, motorcycles are frequently riding in groups inside the Boryeong Undersea Tunnel, where two-wheeled vehicles are prohibited, or stopping vehicles in the middle of the road to get out and take photos.

Since the tunnel opened last December, more than 10 cases of illegal activities have been reported and are currently under investigation.

On the night of the 5th of last month, a man even got out of his passenger car and ran on the road. The police also explained that some people have been posting illegally taken photos or videos inside the tunnel on social networking services (SNS) to show off.

A police official said, "Stopping vehicles to take photos or running on the roadway can lead to major accidents," adding, "We will analyze CCTV footage to check for any other violations and take strict action."

Meanwhile, the Boryeong Undersea Tunnel connects Daecheon Port in Boryeong City and Wonsan-do Island, with a length of 6.927 km. It is the longest undersea tunnel in South Korea and ranks fifth in the world after Japan's Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line (9.5 km), Norway's Bømlafjord (7.9 km), Eiksund (7.8 km), and Oslofjord (7.2 km).

Currently, the Boryeong Police Chief prohibits or restricts the passage of two-wheeled vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and agricultural machinery on the 7.894 km stretch of the Boryeong Undersea Tunnel and its entrances and exits in accordance with the Road Traffic Act.

The police explained the reason, stating, "The entrance to the Boryeong Undersea Tunnel is near tourist spots such as beaches, so there is a high volume of two-wheeled vehicles. Due to the unique characteristics different from land tunnels, the risk of accidents is high, and there is a significant concern about obstructing other vehicle traffic."

In response, the Federation of Two-Wheeled Vehicle Citizens' Organizations is opposing the ban and demanding that two-wheeled vehicles be allowed to pass through the Boryeong Undersea Tunnel.

On the 28th of last month, the Federation announced that 54 two-wheeled vehicle drivers from the Chungnam region will file a petition with the Daejeon District Court to cancel the traffic ban imposed by the Boryeong Police Chief.

They argue that since the Boryeong Undersea Tunnel is a national road, not a highway or a motor vehicle-only road, two-wheeled vehicles should be allowed to pass in principle. They claim that the current traffic ban imposed by the Boryeong Police Chief under the Road Traffic Act is an abuse of authority.

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