Gidae-seo Buk-gu Councilor Holds Meeting to Explore Win-Win Solutions in School Safety Zones

Complete Ban on Parking and Stopping in School Zones Threatens Residents' Right to Livelihood

Two Meetings Held with Related Agencies and Local Residents

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Ki Dae-seo, a member of the Gwangju Buk-gu Council, announced on the 8th that he held two sessions of the "Residents' Meeting to Seek Coexistence Measures for Local Residents in Children's Protection Zones" on the 6th.

This meeting was organized to gather opinions from related organizations and residents and to seek coexistence measures amid the threat to the livelihood rights of local residents following the full ban on parking and stopping in children's protection zones, which was implemented by the amendment of the Road Traffic Act on October 21 last year.

The meetings were held at the Junghung 1-dong Administrative Welfare Center (related to Junghung Elementary School) and the Im-dong Administrative Welfare Center (related to Seorim Elementary School), respectively.

At the meeting, the City Traffic Policy Division, Gwangju Regional Police Agency Traffic Division, Northern Police Station Traffic Division, Buk-gu Traffic Guidance Division, principals of the relevant elementary schools, and local residents attended and held in-depth discussions to reach a consensus on related issues such as ▲flexible operation of parking enforcement hours in children's protection zones ▲no parking enforcement on Saturdays and public holidays in children's protection zones ▲reduction of designated children's protection zone areas ▲securing parking spaces through the creation of public parking lots.

Previously, local residents around Junghung Elementary School and Seorim Elementary School had continuously appealed for amendments to related regulations by filing complaints and submitting petitions to related organizations, requesting extensions of the existing 5-minute grace period for parking enforcement in children's protection zones to 20 minutes, allowing parking after school hours, at night, and on Saturdays and public holidays, and reducing or changing the designated areas of children's protection zones.

Council member Ki Dae-seo, who hosted the meeting, said, "The residents fully agree with the legal purpose of protecting children, but since they are suffering unilateral damage amid threats to their livelihood rights, we organized this meeting," and added, "Going forward, through meetings with the councils of the five districts in Gwangju, we will seek coexistence measures that prioritize the principles of child protection and safety while minimizing inconvenience to local small business owners and residents."

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong ks7664@asiae.co.kr