Why the 'Pharmacy Vehicle Line' and Illegal Parking Disappeared Around Seoul Asan Medical Center

Songpa District Leads Effective Solutions Through Public-Private Cooperation

Songpa District in Seoul announced on July 13 that it has fundamentally resolved the longstanding issue of illegal parking and stopping on the roads surrounding Seoul Asan Medical Center.

Since the early 2000s, the roads near Seoul Asan Medical Center have suffered from persistent traffic congestion and complaints due to the disorderly parking and stopping of vehicles picking up prescriptions from nearby pharmacies. Despite repeated crackdowns and competitive solicitation among pharmacies, vans lined up along the roadside did not disappear, causing ongoing inconvenience for residents of Pungnap-dong.

A newly established pharmacy vehicle-only drop-off and pick-up zone within the hospital premises. Provided by Songpa District.

In response, Songpa District demanded strong improvement measures from the hospital as a condition for approving its expansion in June of last year. As a result, a dedicated parking lot and drop-off and pick-up zone for pharmacy vehicles were newly established within the hospital premises, and have been in operation since July 1 of this year.

With this measure, the line of pharmacy vehicles that used to be parked along the roadside has moved to a designated area within the hospital parking lot (P building). The drop-off and pick-up zone in front of the bus stop was also relocated to a separate area inside the hospital, ensuring that pharmacy users can get in and out without disrupting the flow of traffic. The confusion that previously occurred when pharmacy vehicles and buses were mixed together has also been naturally resolved.

In August of last year, the hospital, Songpa District Pharmaceutical Association, and 22 nearby pharmacies signed an official agreement. They agreed that pharmacy vehicles would use only the dedicated drop-off and pick-up and parking zones, and that penalties would be imposed on pharmacies that do not comply, thereby clarifying the management responsibilities and obligations of each party. As of July, the district continues to conduct intensive crackdowns on illegal parking and stopping on nearby roads, and is focusing on follow-up measures as well.

Song Kangseok, Mayor of Songpa District, emphasized, "This measure is a meaningful example of finding a fundamental solution to a chronic local issue through public-private cooperation. Going forward, we will do our best with creativity, innovation, and fairness to ensure the safety of residents and create an orderly traffic environment."