Yeongdeungpo-gu, Smart Ways to Impound License Plates of Overdue Vehicles?

Delinquency Information Notification System Enhances Speed and Efficiency of Enforcement Linked to Public Parking Lots
Real-Time Alerts of Delinquency and Payment Account via Text Minimize Taxpayer Resistance and Inconvenience

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that it will carry out a “comprehensive crackdown on vehicles with habitual delinquent automobile taxes and intensive license plate confiscation” in October to ensure tax collection and foster a culture of sincere tax payment.

The district designated October as the “Second Half Year Intensive License Plate Confiscation Period for Delinquent Vehicles” and will conduct a comprehensive crackdown on vehicles with delinquent automobile taxes through the full participation of all employees in the district office’s collection department. The purpose is to secure stable local revenue and ensure fairness in local tax collection.

“License plate confiscation,” which involves removing the license plates of vehicles with delinquent automobile taxes or vehicle fines (such as parking violations) and storing them at the district office, is a powerful means of collecting delinquent taxes. In fact, last year the district confiscated license plates from 3,500 vehicles and collected 894 million KRW.

The district linked the “Automatic Entry and Exit Delinquency Information Notification System” to public parking lots to enhance the accuracy and speed of enforcement. This system recognizes vehicle license plates through cameras installed in public parking lots when a vehicle enters, and sends a text message notification to enforcement officers. This reduces the inefficiency of officers having to patrol on foot or by vehicle to find delinquent vehicles.

Taxpayer convenience was also improved. Starting this year, the district provides an “Immediate Confiscation Notification (SMS) Service” that informs vehicle owners in real time about license plate confiscation and payment account details. This allows vehicle owners to promptly pay their delinquent amounts and immediately retrieve their license plates, minimizing tax resistance and inconvenience to taxpayers.

Furthermore, enforcement has been systematized. Patrol vehicles equipped with high-speed cameras and license plate inquiry systems quickly identify delinquent vehicles. Additionally, foot patrols are conducted in blind spots such as back roads.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “We ask for voluntary payment to prevent any inconvenience in daily life caused by license plate confiscation,” and added, “We will continue to carry out effective delinquent tax collection activities to realize tax justice and foster a culture of sincere tax payment.”