Seoul City Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Parking and Stopping in Child Protection Zones

Strengthened Management for the New Semester

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 1st that it will conduct a special crackdown on illegal parking and stopping in school zones for seven days until the 10th to ensure the safe commute of children returning to school for the new semester.

Despite continuous crackdowns, illegal parking and stopping in school zones have persisted. To ensure the safe commute of children, the crackdown will focus on high-risk times during school hours (8?9 a.m.) and dismissal hours (1?4 p.m.).

The special crackdown will be conducted at 1,709 school zones, involving the Seoul Metropolitan Government, 25 autonomous districts, and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The zero-tolerance policy will be strictly applied to vehicles violating parking and stopping regulations, with fines imposed and towing measures taken when necessary.

Last year, the number of violations in school zones decreased by 19% to 142,629 cases compared to 176,186 cases in 2021. This decline is attributed to the tripling of fines, designation of no-parking zones, increased public awareness regarding school zones, and continuous enforcement by the city, autonomous districts, and police.

Seoul will continue to enforce parking and stopping violations even after the special crackdown by using vehicles equipped with mobile CCTV and fixed CCTV systems for ongoing monitoring. Strict enforcement and fines will be imposed on illegally parked or stopped vehicles without exception.

Meanwhile, fines for illegal parking and stopping in school zones start at a minimum of 120,000 KRW, which is three times higher than on general roads, so drivers are urged to exercise extra caution.

Yoon Jong-jang, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Urban Transportation Office, stated, “As we conduct a strict crackdown based on a zero-tolerance policy to protect children, the future generation, we ask for active cooperation to secure safe school routes and create a pedestrian-friendly environment centered on vulnerable road users.”