Drinking alcohol at Seoul Station Plaza and the areas around the station will carry a fine of 50,000 won starting in March next year.
Seoul's Jung District said on the 12th that it plans to designate 13,283 square meters of outdoor space at Seoul Station Plaza and around the station as an alcohol-free zone beginning Nov. 9. The district will run a public notice period through Nov. 8 to gather residents' views. Indoor facilities such as restaurants within the plaza, as well as Seoullo 7017, the Seoul Station underpass and subway entrances, are excluded from the designation.
Seoul Station Plaza is a major transit hub linking KTX and conventional rail services, subway lines 1 and 4, and the Airport Railroad. But drinking and loud disturbances across the plaza have left users feeling unsafe and disrupted foot traffic. In a survey of 1,238 plaza users conducted by the district, 96.4% of respondents supported the designation.
Because Seoul Station Plaza straddles the administrative boundaries of Jung District and Yongsan District, the two districts are moving to designate their respective areas as alcohol-free zones at the same time. After the designation takes effect, Jung District will carry out publicity and outreach activities through Feb. 28 next year together with Yongsan District, Korea Railroad Corp. and police. From March 1, it will impose a 50,000-won fine on drinking within the zone.
"Seoul Station Plaza is the first face through which many residents and tourists from around the world encounter the dignity of Seoul, the capital," Jung District Mayor Kim Gil-sung said. "By managing the alcohol-free zone systematically with related agencies, we will completely transform it into a 'plaza for everyone' where anyone can stroll with peace of mind."
