Trial Allowance of 4.1km Section of Cheonggyecheon from the 30th
"Narrow and Crowded" Safety Concerns Raised
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 27th that from the 30th of this month until the end of the year, a section of Cheonggyecheon Stream will be open for walking with companion dogs. This measure responds to increasing public demand to walk dogs along Cheonggyecheon.
The pilot section allowing companion dogs extends approximately 4.1 km from downstream of Hwanghakgyo (Dongdaemun-gu) to the confluence with Jungnangcheon (Seongdong-gu). The walking path has ample surrounding space and connects to Seongbukcheon and Jeongneungcheon, where dogs are already permitted, making it suitable for walking.
During the pilot project, it is mandatory to keep dogs on a leash no longer than 1.5 meters when walking along Cheonggyecheon. For aggressive dog breeds, muzzles must also be worn. Additionally, owners must carry waste bags and follow basic pet etiquette, including cleaning up after their dogs. Violations will result in on-site guidance, and if ignored, fines will be requested from the local district office governing the dog owner’s residence.
Until now, the only river areas in the Seoul metropolitan area where companion animals were prohibited were Cheonggyecheon and Simgokcheon in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province.
Cheonggyecheon had been off-limits to companion animals under Seoul city ordinances due to concerns about safety accidents caused by narrow sidewalks despite the high number of pedestrians. However, some citizens have filed complaints stating, “Similar environments like Seongbukcheon, Jeongneungcheon, and Jungnangcheon allow companion animals,” and “We don’t understand why Cheonggyecheon is excluded.”
The public reaction to this new measure has been generally positive. However, some voices express concerns about safety issues due to dog waste management and the narrow walking paths.
One citizen told Kukmin Ilbo in an interview, “I recently encountered a dog while running along Cheonggyecheon and felt tense, worried it might run at me,” adding, “Cheonggyecheon is much narrower than the Han River, and there are people riding bicycles and kickboards, so if dogs run at people, it could lead to serious accidents.”
In response, the city plans to work with the Seoul Facilities Corporation, which manages and operates Cheonggyecheon, to monitor the number of dogs accessing the stream during the pilot period and assess on-site conditions. They will also listen to feedback from citizens and dog owners regarding any issues arising from allowing dogs to accompany their owners.
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