Seoul's Jung District will designate the area around Seoul Station Plaza as an alcohol-free zone.
The district said on the 12th that it will formally designate 13,283 square meters of outdoor space around Seoul Station Plaza and the station building as an alcohol-free zone starting Nov. 9. To that end, it will gather public input through an administrative notice running from the 12th through Nov. 8.
Indoor facilities such as restaurants within the plaza are excluded from the designation. "Drinking and loud disturbances from early in the day have raised persistent concerns about safety and obstructed pedestrian traffic at Seoul Station Plaza," a district official said. "In a survey of 1,238 people who use the plaza, 96.4% of respondents supported designating it an alcohol-free zone."
Local governments may designate specific locations within their jurisdictions as alcohol-free zones by ordinance when deemed necessary to prevent alcohol-related harm and promote residents' health. Eligible sites must be places where large numbers of people gather or pass through, and designated zones must be marked with signage. Drinking in a designated alcohol-free zone can draw a fine of up to 100,000 won. The specific locations and operating standards are set by each local government's ordinance.
Because Seoul Station Plaza straddles the administrative boundary with Yongsan District, Jung District has been consulting with Yongsan to make enforcement more effective.
The two districts are working to designate their respective portions of Seoul Station Plaza as alcohol-free zones at the same time.
After the designation takes effect, the district plans to run an intensive publicity and warning campaign through Feb. 28 next year together with Yongsan District, Korea Railroad Corp., police and other relevant agencies. From March 1 next year, it will impose a fine of 50,000 won on anyone caught drinking within the zone.
"Seoul Station Plaza is the first face through which countless citizens and tourists from around the world encounter the dignity of the capital," Jung District Mayor Kim Gil-sung said. "By systematically managing the alcohol-free zone with related agencies, we will transform it into a 'plaza for everyone' where anyone can stroll with peace of mind."