SNS Spread of 'Speed Limit Removal' Modification Videos
Broadcasting Review Committee and Google Korea Request Access Block
Joint Guidance and Crackdown by Local Governments and Police Strengthened
Recently, as methods to illegally modify electric scooters and electric bicycles to remove 'speed limits' spread through SNS, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has taken decisive action. They will block the spread of related videos and strengthen enforcement and guidance measures.
On the 6th, Seoul announced that it will implement strong countermeasures as cases threatening pedestrian safety, including the elderly and children, have increased due to illegal removal of speed limits on Personal Mobility devices (PMs). Currently, the legal maximum speed for electric bicycles and electric scooters is 25 km/h. Modifying them can result in imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to 5 million KRW. Operating an electric scooter with a speed modified above the legal limit without registering it as a two-wheeled motor vehicle will incur a fine of 500,000 KRW.
The electric scooter crackdown site held in front of Soongsil University on the 1st. Provided by Seoul City
The city requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission and Google Korea to block access to and delete nine YouTube videos introducing methods to remove the maximum speed limit, and received a blocking review result from the commission. Going forward, they plan to monitor content encouraging illegal activities and immediately request blocking and deletion.
Additionally, in August, the city requested the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s National Institute of Technology and Standards to designate uncertified electric scooters and electric bicycles as items banned from overseas direct purchase. This was in consideration of the fact that most KC uncertified electric scooters and electric bicycles brought into Korea are overseas direct purchase products. Electric scooters and electric bicycles must be manufactured according to the safety standards of the National Institute of Technology and Standards and must undergo safety confirmation testing procedures to receive KC certification.
Enforcement, guidance, and safety education regarding illegal driving such as speeding, not wearing helmets, and unlicensed driving will continue to be promoted. Until last month, the police, city, and autonomous districts conducted 30 enforcement and guidance operations in 15 autonomous districts, and the police issued 19 fines for illegal driving. In addition, the city conducted safety education for a total of 58,000 people until last month.
Yoon Jong-jang, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Transportation Office, said, "We will create a safe environment that protects not only personal mobility users but also pedestrians and vehicle drivers," and added, "When using electric bicycles and electric scooters, please strictly observe the maximum speed limit and safety rules such as wearing helmets."
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