First Offense: 200,000 Won, Third Offense: 1 Million Won... Feeding Pigeons in Seoul Now Comes With Heavy Fines

'No Feeding' Ban Spreads to Nam-gu, Gwangju and Dalseo-gu, Daegu
Pigeon-Related Civil Complaints Up 26.8% in Three Years

Pigeons are eating food on the ground on a street in Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The Seoul Metropolitan Government began imposing fines for feeding pigeons starting this month. The fines increase with each violation, aiming to control the pigeon population in order to prevent damage to citizens caused by droppings and foul odors.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on July 1, a new system has been implemented this month that prohibits feeding pigeons in major parks and plazas to manage the pigeon population. Violators can be fined up to 1 million won. The fine is 200,000 won for the first offense, 500,000 won for the second, and 1 million won from the third offense onward.

The ban on feeding pigeons is based on the "Ordinance on the Prohibition of Feeding Nuisance Wildlife in Seoul Metropolitan City." The city explained the purpose of the ordinance as "preventing and minimizing damage to facilities, public health, and daily life that may result from feeding nuisance wildlife."

The Seoul Metropolitan Government took this action because citizens have repeatedly suffered damages. Apartment windows, vehicles, and solar panels have been covered with droppings and feathers, and cultural heritage sites have been corroded by pigeon droppings.

According to the Ministry of Environment, there were 3,037 pigeon-related civil complaints nationwide last year, a 26.8% increase compared to 2,395 cases in 2021. As damages have increased, other local governments such as Dalseo-gu in Daegu and Nam-gu in Gwangju have also enacted ordinances to manage pigeon populations.

In the case of Nam-gu, Gwangju, the "Ordinance on the Prevention and Management of Damage Caused by Nuisance Birds" has been in effect since May 23, similar to Seoul. Under this ordinance, fines are imposed for feeding birds such as pigeons and magpies that harm the urban environment and hygiene.

Once the designation of restricted areas is completed by the end of August, there will be a guidance period until November. After that, violators will be fined between 200,000 won and 1 million won depending on the number of offenses.