Hanam City Becomes First in Korea to Impose Smoking Fines via Mobile System...Wins Minister of the Interior and Safety Award

Hanam City in Gyeonggi Province has been recognized for its outstanding administrative capabilities by becoming the first municipality in the country to establish a system for imposing fines for smoking in non-smoking areas using the 'Smart Non-Tax Revenue System.'

Aerial view of Hanam City Hall. Provided by Hanam City

According to Hanam City on December 19, the city received the Minister of the Interior and Safety Award for this initiative at the 18th Korea Local Finance Awards, hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on December 16.

The Korea Local Finance Awards is an event that discovers and shares outstanding cases that have contributed to the development of local finance in four areas: budget savings, innovation in the operation of local subsidies, increases in local tax revenue, and increases in non-tax revenue.

This award is seen as a result of technically addressing the shortage of enforcement personnel amid a surge in non-smoking areas and related complaints, as well as achieving greater efficiency in local financial management.

The system introduced by Hanam City allows enforcement officers to immediately impose fines and print notifications on-site using mobile devices. Previously, officers had to fill out handwritten confirmation forms, return to the office to enter the data into the system, and mail advance notifications, making the process complicated. With the introduction of the mobile system, these steps have been dramatically streamlined.

In particular, the city has prevented wasteful spending by reducing postal costs associated with sending paper notifications, and has improved accuracy by preventing administrative errors such as typos or omissions.

Additionally, convenience for citizens has been greatly enhanced. The notification issued on-site now includes a QR code, allowing those fined to immediately apply for smoking cessation education or receive information on fine reduction programs. This approach has been highly praised for encouraging voluntary participation in smoking cessation education and payment, going beyond simple enforcement.

A city official stated, "This achievement is the result of efforts to solve on-site challenges with smart technology," adding, "We will continue to strengthen the substance of our financial management through smart administration that citizens can truly experience."