Even Online, "Anyone Going to Hangang?"... Unceasing Foot Traffic at Hangang

'Hangang Lightning' Popular in KakaoTalk Open Chat Rooms
Seoul City's 2021 Summer Comprehensive Measures Also Ineffective

On the afternoon of the 6th, Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul was bustling with citizens out to enjoy the weekend.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] "Recruiting 2-on-2 Hangang gatherings before eating and drinking are banned"

This is a notice posted in a KakaoTalk open chatroom where office workers in the metropolitan area participate anonymously. The most popular flash meeting in this chatroom is the ‘Hangang flash meeting.’ As soon as the notice is posted, the limited number of participants (4 people) fills up quickly.

Last weekend, citizens who brought mats and camping gear gathered in groups of three to five at Jamsil Hangang Park and Banpo Hangang Park to drink alcohol or eat food. Although banners stating ‘Private gatherings of 5 or more prohibited’ and ‘Refrain from eating and drinking’ were hung in the parks, it was easy to see groups of five or more sitting together, and most citizens were not wearing masks. Citizen Jo Seok-hyung (34) said, "Isn't the risk of infection lower outdoors than indoors?" and added, "The weather was so nice that I came out with my friends."

This is in stark contrast to the voices demanding the designation of Hangang Park as an alcohol-free zone and restrictions on eating and drinking following the case of a university student found dead in Hangang Park. The Seoul Metropolitan Government only encourages citizens to refrain from eating and drinking and to return home early at Hangang Citizen Park. Hangang Project Headquarters staff patrol frequently to urge compliance with quarantine rules, but only at those times. Many people seem to follow the rules only during enforcement and then move to another location to continue their gatherings.

A civil police officer belonging to the Seoul Hangang Project Headquarters met on site said, "Even if we try to impose fines, there are many strong objections, making enforcement difficult," and lamented, "It is practically impossible to enforce." This is because even if violations of quarantine rules are detected, there is no authority beyond guidance to enforce penalties.

Regarding the designation of alcohol-free zones in Hangang Park, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has stated, "We will implement it after sufficient time, including a 6-month to 1-year campaign period, holding discussions, public hearings, and gathering expert opinions through public deliberation."