Seven garbage trucks in Jeju City have been illegally parked for a long time in a 300m open space near the entrance of Bangseonmun.
[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won] Garbage trucks in Jeju City have sparked controversy for being illegally parked for an extended period at the entrance of a cultural heritage site.
Large vehicles that should be parked in designated garages are instead parked in an open space at the entrance of Bangseonmun, Nationally Designated Cultural Heritage Scenic Site No. 92, causing displeasure among both residents and tourists.
According to Jeju City on the 6th, about seven garbage trucks have been using the open space at the entrance of Bangseonmun as a temporary garage for approximately one month.
This is due to the existing garage for the garbage trucks being unavailable for parking because of floor construction.
Bangseonmun is a famous scenic spot meaning “the gate to the place where immortals live” or “the place to ascend Halla Mountain, the sacred mountain where immortals reside.” It is known as the location of Yeongguchunhwa, one of the twelve scenic views of Yeongju.
The site features massive and unique rock formations, surrounding vegetation, and water systems harmoniously combined, making it a favorite spot for poets and scholars since ancient times. Even today, engraved inscriptions left by these visitors remain throughout the area, making it a culturally and historically significant tourist attraction that never lacks visitors.
The large garbage trucks parked at the entrance of Bangseonmun are causing inconvenience to residents and posing safety risks to tourists.
Especially during the upcoming weekend, when the Bangseonmun Festival, jointly organized by the Bangseonmun Festival Committee and Ora-dong, will be held around Bangseonmun and the nearby forest trails, a large number of visitors are expected, making the parked garbage trucks an even bigger issue.
Moreover, although Jeju City emphasized strengthening crackdowns on overnight parking outside designated garages for commercial vehicles on the 22nd of last month, vehicles belonging to Jeju City have been illegally parked for a long time at the entrance of the cultural heritage site, drawing criticism for a double standard.
A representative from Jeju City’s Living Environment Division stated, “Due to floor construction at the garbage truck garage, we have been parking at the open space at the entrance of Bangseonmun for about a month with cooperation. We will move back to the original garage next Monday.”
A representative from Jeju City’s Transportation Safety Bureau said, “We will inspect the site and take prompt action.”
Meanwhile, garbage trucks are large vehicles that, according to Article 85 of the Freight Vehicle Transportation Business Act, must be parked in the garage of the relevant transportation operator, another transportation operator’s garage, a public garage, or a freight terminal.
Vehicles parked continuously outside the designated garage for more than one hour between midnight and 4 a.m. are subject to crackdown, and violators will be fined.
Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won captain@asiae.co.kr
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