Starting next month, the Jongno-gu Office in Seoul will implement a new visitor nighttime curfew for Bukchon Hanok Village's "Red Zone" to curb the effects of excessive tourism and improve residents' quality of life.
With the curfew, tourists will be able to visit the popular historical residential area only between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., facing a 100,000-won ($76) fine for those who enter outside these hours for tourism purposes.
The policy targets the "Red Zone," a 34,000-square-meter residential area of hanok around Bukchon-ro 11-gil.
Residents, their families and visitors who are not engaging in tourism-related activities will not be fined.
Exceptions include shoppers, accommodation facility guests and passersby who are not involved in tourism. However, those found engaging in activities such as sightseeing, taking photos or wandering the streets without visiting shops or staying in accommodation facilities will face penalties.
The district office implemented a four-month trial run of the policy starting last November. The goal is to reduce the negative impact of overcrowding on residents and establish a culture of sustainable tourism.
In addition to the time restrictions, the district has also imposed a ban on charter buses in the area starting in January 2025 to address illegal parking and traffic congestion along Bukchon-ro.
Jongno-gu officials acknowledge concerns from local business owners about the potential drop in visitors affecting sales. However, the district emphasized that balancing the needs of residents and businesses remains a priority.
"We are working to ensure that residents enjoy a more peaceful life while promoting responsible tourism," said Jongno-gu Office head Chung Moon-hun. "We understand the challenges faced by local businesses and are considering additional solutions to ease these difficulties."
yoohong@heraldcorp.com
