By Jake J. Nho
Traffic is a problem in all major cities around the world and, of course, Seoul does not want to be an exception to the rule. I talk to people about how we have an option in Seoul because of the low-priced, highly-efficient public transport system.
What I don’t get is the traffic chaos that is caused around churches on Sundays.
Take this little church right close to my house. It is a very small one and naturally it does not have parking facilities. So the parishioners see it fit to park their cars all over the neighborhood.
The main problem is that they park on the main road as well, in such a way that it makes it impossible to check oncoming traffic as you drive out of the alley onto the two-lane street.
I have spoken with the district police on a number of occasions because this is very dangerous. There are cars parked to the left and right of the entrance of the alleys and I asked that the church-goers be told to keep their vehicles at least several meters from the entrances. Nothing doing.
Because I do not engage in a lot of driving ― except on the weekends ― I kind of let it slide. But I keep wondering why these people are driving to church when they apparently live in the area?
Another case is a Christian church in Chungmuro in downtown Seoul where my company is currently located.
Now this is a huge congregation and they come from all over and so coming by car is understandable.
What they used to do was park on the main street but the police finally got on their case and they had to go elsewhere, like the alleys surrounding the very-large premises of the church.
And this naturally causes problems ― again ― for people like me who forgo driving on weekdays for fear of adding to the traffic congestion problem. I try to get to the office and cars are parked left and right ― again ― in the very small alleys, making it rather difficult to maneuver. That is not very nice, driving to other people’s neighborhoods and causing all sorts of inconveniences.
For my part, I really don’t care if people go to church on Sundays to pray and heal their souls ― perhaps trying to ask for forgiveness for their sins, for which I am sure there are many ― but it does become a problem when it creates inconveniences ― some dangerous ― for me and family.
Many people say that they drive because they have performed the obligation of paying automotive taxes and subscribing to insurance plans. So have I. Why do they have more rights than I?
I tend to believe that automobiles are designed for intended purposes, not to be driven around all day just because they are there. This is irresponsibility of a magnanimous altitude.
I don’t mean to criticize religion ― I was married in a Catholic church ― and many people do not seem to think there is anything wrong in traversing into other people’s neighbors like they own the place. Would they feel the same way if the same thing was happening in front of their own house? I think not.
Think. This is a careful but clever word. I truly believe that if people gave just an extra thought to the inconvenience their actions can have on others ― especially on a holy Sunday ― they would not dare impose the kinds of hassle they are causing Sunday after Sunday.
Is this only happening in my neighborhood? Again, I think not.
I think Sunday could be a good day to take the subway ― for a change ― with the family to church and do the real sour-searching it is designed for. And you would not have to worry about getting your car towed away.
Amen.
Jake J. Nho has been a journalist and a marketing executive in Seoul for 27 years. He can be reached at jakenho@hotmail.com.