The proposed ordinance gives the Seoul mayor the right to designate parks and children’s playgrounds, among other public spaces, as alcohol-free zones. Signboards will be put up indicating the ban.

The mayor will also have the authority to discourage alcoholic beverage distributors from sponsoring or joining in events that are either targeting teenagers or organized by the city government.

Additionally based on the ordinance, people who cause a nuisance in public transportation and spaces in their drunken state will be slapped with a fine of 50,000 won.

Anyone who sells or provides alcoholic beverages to minors would be fined up to 1 million won.

The city government is also reviewing the option of limiting sales of alcohol altogether in areas adjacent to public parks.

Prior to this move, a nationwide crackdown on habitual drunk drivers was put into effect in April under the previous 19th National Assembly, which allowed prosecutors and police to confiscate lawbreakers’ vehicles.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)