Residents Suffering for 3 Years Due to Illegal Parking... Even Officials Give Up Here

A road in Jeonju City, Jeollabuk-do, has been impassable for years due to illegal parking, causing great inconvenience to citizens, yet the authorities are avoiding enforcement, saying "there is nothing we can do."

Vehicles double-parked on a two-lane road.
[Photo by Online Community]

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On the 5th, Yonhap News reported that vehicles are illegally parked on a two-lane road about 50 meters behind the Jeonju Tax Office in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do. The road is blocked by cars illegally occupying one lane, making vehicle passage impossible. To use the road, drivers often have to cross the center line and drive against traffic, creating dangerous situations.

A tipster, Mr. A, who works as a logistics operator, told Yonhap News, "I have been using this problematic road for seven years, and the illegal parking became severe around 2021." He explained, "That year, I called the Wansan District Office and requested the person in charge to solve the problem, but the response from the new person in charge the following year was passive." He added, "Since there was no enforcement, illegal parking got out of control as people thought 'it must be okay.' I have filed several complaints, but I don't know if the Wansan District Office has the will to resolve this issue," expressing his frustration.

Vehicles double-parked on a two-lane road. A banner indicating an illegal parking enforcement zone is visible behind the vehicles.
[Photo by Online Community]

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After hearing Mr. A's story, netizen Mr. B publicized the incident on an online community where he is active. For a long 1 year and 6 months, Mr. B has been posting weekly photos of the road, criticizing the enforcement authorities and the Wansan District Office. He said, "I filed complaints three times requesting enforcement, but each time the Wansan District Office responded that it was difficult to increase enforcement frequency due to staff shortages." He also appealed, "I suggested installing enforcement cameras and center line separation guide posts, but these were rejected citing budget shortages and related guidelines."

A Wansan District Office official stated, "We are already conducting regular enforcement on the road," but countered, "It is realistically difficult to catch vehicles that park secretly to avoid enforcement teams. The enforcement team cannot be stationed only on that road." When the investigation began, a Jeonju City Hall official said, "This year's budget has been fully used, but we will review installing (enforcement cameras) in the first half of next year." He added, "Until the enforcement cameras are installed, we will have the Wansan District Office strengthen enforcement."

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