Starting Next Year, a 100,000 Won Fine Will Be Imposed for Drinking Alcohol at Cheongnyangni Station Plaza

Dongdaemun-gu Launches No-Drinking Zone Awareness Campaign at Cheongnyangni Station Plaza on 30th
Guidance Period Until End of This Year, 100,000 Won Fine for Violations Starting January Next Year

“The biggest problem is that children living near Cheongnyangni Station are exposed to the sight of intoxicated people. Please make sure this area becomes a permanent alcohol-free zone.”

On the 30th, Seong Mo (72, female), a resident of Dongdaemun-gu passing by the ‘Alcohol-Free Zone Awareness Improvement Joint Campaign’ held at Cheongnyangni Station Plaza, spoke firmly. This was because she had failed several times to properly answer her grandchild’s question, “Why are the men drinking alcohol at Cheongnyangni Station Plaza?”

Park Mo (66), another Dongdaemun resident, shared a similar opinion. While moving toward the bus stop near Cheongnyangni Station, Park said, “I no longer want to see people drinking,” adding, “Since it has been designated as an alcohol-free zone, it would be great if the entire area around the station is cleaned up more thoroughly.”

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung), having gauged public opinion, is also acting swiftly. In fact, on the 30th, Dongdaemun-gu Office, together with Dongdaemun Police Station, Korea Railroad Corporation, and university student sobriety supporters (Kyung Hee University, Samyook University, Sungshin Women’s University), conducted the ‘Alcohol-Free Zone Awareness Improvement Joint Campaign’ at Cheongnyangni Station Plaza.

Despite the hot weather, campaign participants actively distributed promotional materials to publicize that Cheongnyangni Station Plaza has been designated as an alcohol-free zone. The joint campaign will be held every last Tuesday of the month at Cheongnyangni Station Plaza until December.

The designation of Cheongnyangni Station Plaza as an alcohol-free zone is based on the National Health Promotion Act of December 2020 and the amendment of the Dongdaemun-gu Ordinance on the Creation and Support of a Healthy Drinking Culture Environment in December 2023. Reflecting residents’ demands, the district designated the 1st and 3rd floors of Cheongnyangni Station Plaza as an alcohol-free zone in July this year.

The district will impose a fine of 100,000 KRW starting January 1 next year after a promotional and guidance period from July 4 to December 31 this year. The crackdown targets anyone who ▲ possesses an opened alcohol bottle, ▲ drinks alcohol, or ▲ drinks alcohol even if it is contained in a container other than an alcoholic beverage bottle, as long as the act of drinking is clear.

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, “We hope that a healthy drinking culture will spread throughout Dongdaemun-gu starting from Cheongnyangni Station,” adding, “We will strive to make Dongdaemun-gu safer and more pleasant.”