Of 2,057 Camping Cars in Daegu, 20% Involved in Long-term Parking Complaints... Councilor JaeSook Lee Asks "Why No Crackdown?"

On May 21, JaeSook Lee, a member of the Daegu City Council (People Power Party, Dong-gu District 4), called for practical administrative measures and solutions to address the issue of long-term parking of camping cars in Daegu's public parking lots through a written administrative inquiry.

Councilor Lee emphasized, "Public parking lots are not private spaces that can be occupied long-term by specific vehicles, but public assets shared by all citizens," and stressed, "Daegu City must clearly present concrete measures and future plans to resolve the issue of long-term parking."

JaeSook Lee Daegu City Councilor

In fact, during a special joint inspection of free on-street public parking lots conducted by Daegu City and district/county offices from May 27 to June 14, 2024, 80 cases of long-term camping car parking were found. This figure is not significantly different from the 92 cases reported in 2023, indicating that the seriousness of the problem has not yet been resolved. Furthermore, as of September 2024, there were 477 complaints filed regarding long-term parking out of 2,057 camping cars registered in Daegu, meaning that one out of every five registered camping cars has been the subject of a complaint.

Councilor Lee pointed out, "Although the Parking Lot Act was revised in July last year to grant metropolitan mayors, mayors, county heads, and district heads the authority to tow illegally long-term parked vehicles, Daegu City has not actively utilized this authority," and argued, "Despite being granted legal authority, the city must explain why it remains passive in its response."

She continued, "Although Daegu City has stated that it would propose to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport the introduction of a new fine for long-term parking vehicles, there have not yet been any concrete results," and urged, "If it is difficult to introduce a new fine, Daegu City must devise its own administrative measures."

Councilor Lee also stressed the necessity of establishing dedicated parking lots for camping cars, stating, "Dedicated camping car parking facilities are essential for securing parking spaces for citizens and maintaining urban traffic order, so Daegu City must draw up concrete plans to create such facilities by utilizing outer areas or unused public parking lots."

Meanwhile, Daegu City is analyzing the results of operating four parking lots, including Daemyeongcheon-ro, where some public on-street parking lots have been converted to paid parking in an effort to resolve the long-term parking problem, and is considering whether to expand paid parking to additional locations.

Councilor Lee urged, "Daegu City must prepare stronger measures and take immediate action to protect citizens' rights and interests and to strengthen the public nature of parking lot operations."