Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Camping regulation at Han River's picnic areas triggers privacy debate
Visitors set up picnics with tents at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul's Yeungdeungpo District, June 6. Newsis
By Lee Hae-rin
As growing numbers of people visit parks along the Han River for autumn picnics, Seoul city's current regulation, which forces them to leave two sides of a tent open at riverside picnic areas is sparking debate over privacy concerns.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government allows tents at designated picnic areas in Han River parks during scheduled times under the condition that at least two sides of a tent remain open at all times.
The city government established the regulation in its April 2019 ordinance, in response to growing complaints regarding indescrete public displays of affection inside the tents and waste problems, according to the city government’s team which is in charge of park management. Seoul is the only local government nationwide that imposes such a restriction.
“I’ve seen some young couples’ public display of affection at Han River parks, but I’ve never thought it was that serious,” a Seoul-based office worker surnamed Kim, 34, said.
"I’ve seen bolder cases at parks in foreign countries while traveling abroad. Forcing visitors to open two sides of their tent seems anachronistic and ridiculous."
Another Seoul resident surnamed Park echoed Kim’s view, arguing “the government has no right to control what people can and cannot do in public in such a manner.”
However, those who agree with the policy say that occasional public displays of affection should be restricted.
“Culturally, Korea is not as open as European countries, for example, when it comes to public displays of affection. Although I haven’t seen such serious cases (at Han River parks), I understand and agree with the need for such regulations,” a Seoul-based office worker surnamed Lee said.
Cho, a 22-year-old university student in Seoul who regularly visits the riverside picnic area, agreed with Lee, underscoring “leaving two sides (of a tent) open doesn’t cause much inconvenience.”
The Seoul government posts 146 personnel at 11 centers across the riverside parks to supervise and regulate the use of tents.
Those violating the regulation are subject to fines of up to one million won ($738). However, the city government tries to encourage citizens to follow the rules as a “necessary minimum regulation for public order,” instead of imposing fines.
Over 43 million have visited Han River parks from January to September this year and a total of 5,300 cases have been reported.
Fines were imposed in only nine cases since the regulation came into effect in 2019.