When Reporting 'Illegal Parking' in Disabled Zones, Vehicle Owners Retaliate with Threats of Equal Treatment

Sent "Do You Have Conscience?" Absurd Text to Reported Driver
Fines Imposed for Illegal Parking in Disabled Parking Zones

A story has been shared about a whistleblower who reported a vehicle violating a disabled parking space, only to be scolded by the neighbor who actually broke the law. On the 27th, an online community called 'Bobaedream' featured a post titled 'I reported a regular car parked in a disabled parking spot and was told by a mom, "Do you have a conscience?"' The author, Mr. A, expressed disbelief, saying, "I was told 'Do you have a conscience?' by B, the driver of a regular car illegally parked in a disabled parking space."

On the 27th, an online community 'BobaeDream' posted an article titled 'Reported a regular car parked in a disabled parking space and was told by the child's mother if I had a conscience.' [Photo by Asia Economy DB, online community 'BobaeDream']

Mr. A explained, "I noticed a disabled vehicle couldn't park in the spot, so I called B three times, but he didn't answer." He added, "A few days later, I received a text message based on a missed call." According to the text message shared by Mr. A, B wrote, "This is the car owner. I saw you reported illegal parking of a disabled vehicle. It's too much among neighbors in the same apartment complex." He continued, "I was just waiting for my 6-year-old child’s school pickup vehicle and briefly parked, then moved it. Isn't that too much? Didn't I move it right away? A 6-year-old child is also vulnerable. We all live together in this world, so this is too much."

In response to the message, Mr. A replied briefly, "If you contact me again, I will sue for stalking." Then B retorted, "Do you feel relieved after reporting? Listen to your conscience. The world is a place where we help each other." Mr. A countered, "I saw your ugly attitude, only talking about your child without considering the inconvenience caused to the elderly lady in a wheelchair who parks there." He directly told B, "Stop talking nonsense to me, apologize to the person who parks there, and reflect on your actions." B did not back down, saying, "Keep reporting and living like that. I will gladly pay the 80,000 won fine. If you keep reporting others like this, you will eventually be reported seriously yourself." Netizens who read the story reacted with comments such as, "Is that really how the word 'conscience' should be used?", "Illegal parking mom vs. public interest reporter, who really lacks a conscience?", and "If I received such a message, blocking without a reply is best for mental health."

Meanwhile, under the current Act on the Transportation Vulnerable and the Act on Convenience for Persons with Disabilities, a fine of up to 200,000 won is imposed for illegal parking in disabled-only parking spaces. Especially, if someone intentionally parks in front of a disabled-only parking space or stacks objects in the disabled parking area, a fine of up to 1,000,000 won can be imposed. This is considered a heavier penalty as it is seen as deliberately obstructing disabled vehicles from parking. Cases where a moving truck is parked in a disabled parking space while moving out of an apartment are also regarded as parking obstruction.