Seoul City Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Parking and Stopping in School Zones for Second Semester

August 29 - September 8 Enforcement
Joint Operation by City, District, and Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for Child Protection Zone Parking Violations and Focused Enforcement During School Commute Hours
This Year’s Child Protection Zone Violations Decreased by 18.6% Compared to the Same Period Last Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 28th that it will conduct an intensive crackdown on illegal parking and stopping of vehicles in school zones for nine days until the 8th of next month.

This crackdown is being carried out during school commute hours (8?9 a.m.) and after-school hours (1?3 p.m.) to ensure the safe commute of children, as illegal parking and stopping in school zones have continued despite year-round enforcement efforts.

Following the first semester school opening, this intensive crackdown will be conducted at 1,711 school zones with participation from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, 25 autonomous districts, and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Fines will be imposed on vehicles found violating the rules, and towing will be enforced if necessary.

Police stations under the jurisdiction of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will cooperate with the 25 autonomous districts to strengthen patrol activities during school commute times in school zones. Violating vehicles will be fined, and police officers will be stationed in front of schools during school hours to help establish traffic order.

Parking and stopping are permitted for disabled vehicles, school buses, and academy vehicles in areas where child boarding and alighting zone signs are installed within school zones. Since the amendment of the Road Traffic Act on October 21 last year, school zones have been designated as no parking or stopping areas. However, vehicles related to school commutes such as disabled and academy vehicles are allowed to park or stop for up to five minutes in designated child boarding zones.

As of the end of July this year, the number of enforcement cases in school zones decreased by 18.6% to 85,529 compared to 105,137 cases during the same period in 2021. This decline is attributed to the tripling of fines, designation of no parking and stopping zones, and continuous enforcement by the city, autonomous districts, and police, which have strengthened child safety and traffic order management.

Furthermore, Seoul will continue regular enforcement against parking violations using CCTV-equipped vehicles and fixed CCTV systems. Violating vehicles will be fined and subject to towing as part of strict enforcement measures.

Baek Ho, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Urban Transportation Office, stated, “School zones are absolute no parking and stopping areas where children’s safety must be guaranteed under all circumstances.” He added, “We ask for the active cooperation of citizens to prevent child traffic accidents and to create an environment centered on vulnerable road users and pedestrians.”

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