"Every Day Is a Battle": No Solution to Parking Problems in Apartment Residential Areas?

Double parking, 'Munkok' and other neighbor conflicts intensify
More than 5 out of 10 drivers 'usually stressed due to parking issues'
Experts say "Mutual consideration is necessary"

Recently, it has been revealed that parking difficulties are severe due to limited parking spaces. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] "There are many cars, but few parking spaces, which is very inconvenient," "I am stressed out by illegal parking and selfish parking."

While the number of vehicles per household is increasing, the lack or scarcity of parking spaces is causing conflicts among neighbors. Especially in apartment residential areas, various accidents such as double parking or so-called 'door dings'?scratches caused when opening car doors onto adjacent vehicles?are occurring.

According to the Vehicle Management Information System (VMIS) operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, as of June last year, the cumulative number of registered vehicles in South Korea was 23,444,165, an increase of about 240,000 from the previous year.

The problem lies in the parking situation. According to a survey, more than half of drivers experience headaches due to parking issues.

Market research firm Embrain Trend Monitor conducted a perception survey on parking lot usage on the 2nd among 1,000 male and female office workers aged 19 to 59. More than half of the drivers (54.7%) responded that they often feel stressed due to parking problems, and the most difficult place to park was ranked first as 'residential areas' (89.8%).

In particular, drivers cited the most stressful parking situations as when parking is difficult due to neighboring vehicles (42%) and when illegal parking vehicles make parking difficult (36.6%).

Additionally, 9 out of 10 people have experienced wasting time even after arriving at their destination due to parking problems.

Cases of conflicts between neighbors over parking issues are also frequent. Photo by Yonhap News

Moreover, such parking problems are spreading into conflicts among neighbors. Recently, in Jeju Island, a man in his 60s, Mr. A, who smeared feces on a neighbor’s car involved in a parking dispute, was caught by the police.

According to the police, Mr. A is suspected of smearing feces on the windshield of Mr. B’s car parked in front of an apartment complex in Nohyeong-dong, Jeju City, on August 18. Mr. A reportedly committed the act out of resentment after frequent disputes with Mr. B over parking issues within the apartment complex.

The Nohyeong Police Substation of Jeju Western Police Station, after receiving the report, staked out near the residence and arrested Mr. A at around 5 a.m. on the 19th while he was smearing feces on Mr. B’s car.

Meanwhile, a man in his 60s who attempted to kill a neighbor by swinging a blunt weapon over a parking dispute in front of his house was sentenced to a heavy prison term.

Last September, in a residential area of Cheongju, Chungbuk, the man had a parking dispute with neighbor Mr. C. Later that day around 6 p.m., intoxicated, he destroyed Mr. C’s vehicle with a golf club and violently assaulted the resisting victim with the club. The court sentenced the man to four years in prison on charges including attempted murder.

Given these circumstances, there are calls for a more mature parking culture. Most parking problems can be resolved through mutual consideration and communication.

Experts advise that neighborly consideration is necessary for frequently occurring parking issues.

Han Moon-chul, a traffic accident specialist lawyer, appeared on KBS 1 Radio’s 'Oh Tae-hoon’s Current Affairs Headquarters' and said, "Conflicts among neighbors related to parking issues are frequent," adding, "When cars are double-parked blocking others, people cannot move their cars, causing delays in commuting and leading to further problems."

He continued, "Retaliation such as puncturing tires or applying glue to car doors also occurs due to parking conflicts," and advised, "These parking problems require mutual consideration. For example, when double parking, you should always leave your contact information so that if contacted, you can promptly move your car."