Kimhae Airport 'Blockage' That Couldn't Be Towed... Vehicle Owner Says "Will Remove After 2 Days"

Overseas Driver Scheduled to Return in 2 Days

The car owner, who sparked controversy for 'the most egregious nuisance parking' by parking their car tightly against the boundary of the vehicle entrance road at Gimhae Airport, returned to the country on the 2nd and is reportedly planning to immediately move the car.

According to multiple media reports on the 1st, a Gimhae Airport official stated, "After checking the vehicle registration number, we were able to get in touch with the owner with difficulty," adding, "The owner, who is currently overseas, will return on the 2nd and has agreed to remove the car immediately." However, contrary to the initial claims circulating online, it is understood that vehicles such as buses can still enter by driving slowly.

The controversy arose after a post titled 'The most egregious nuisance parking at Gimhae Airport' was uploaded on various online communities on the 31st of last month. The post included a photo of a car illegally parked on the shoulder.

Vehicles illegally parked on the airport access road. [Image source=Online community capture]

The location in the photo was the entrance road adjacent to the Gimhae Airport parking lot, where multiple vehicles were illegally parked, obstructing passing traffic. This raised concerns that the entry of airport limousines, buses, and other vehicles could be restricted. However, after the issue became known, other car owners moved their vehicles, leaving only one hydrogen car remaining.

A netizen identified as A, who posted the message, explained, "An inconsiderate vacationer, upon finding the Gimhae Airport parking lot full, parked there saying their flight time was approaching and then went overseas," adding, "The vehicle is still there, and I heard it cannot be towed."

Road conditions on the morning of the 1st. A small number of vehicles are still illegally parked. [Image source=MBC broadcast capture]

The airport also reportedly faced difficulties in handling the last remaining hydrogen vehicle. To tow a vehicle on airport private property, the owner's consent is required, but the owner had already left the country. However, the owner is scheduled to return to Korea on the 2nd and is expected to remove the vehicle immediately upon arrival.

Meanwhile, netizens who learned of the situation expressed strong reactions such as, "Illegal parking is outrageous, but parking in such a space is unbelievable," "How many people were delayed because of that vehicle," "It’s unfair that towing nuisance vehicles requires consent," and "Cases like this should be subject to harsher penalties."