By Lee Hyo-sik
Hundreds of illegally set-up kiosks and stalls selling CDs and other miscellaneous goods at highway service stations have been removed across the country as part of government efforts to create a more pleasant space for motorists.
Korea Expressway Corp. (KEC), the state-run expressway operator, said Tuesday that it demolished a total of 328 unlicensed structures selling a variety of household items and began operating an alternative outlet called “Hi-Shop.”
Over the decades, vendors have sold miscellaneous goods out of small-sized trucks unlawfully occupying parking spaces without the highway operator’s permission. The space previously taken up by the vendors has turned to motorists.
“For many years, street vendors were engaged in illegal business at highway rest areas. They caused inconvenience to motorists and negatively affected the overall environment of the service areas. We are glad that unlicensed stalls have been replaced with the Hi-Shop,” an official at KEC said.
The expressway operator said it held a series of talks with businesses running service station facilities and representatives of the vendors over the past several months.
“The stallholders agreed to have their kiosks removed in exchange for business rights to run the Hi-Shop. They will have to pay taxes and procure merchandise through a legitimate channel. They will be required to pay the operators of the service stations 18 percent of their revenue as a rental fee,” the official said.
He said the removal of unlicensed structures will greatly improve the quality of service at highway stops, stressing that it will take stern action in cooperation with police against those who attempt to establish illegal stalls in the future.
The corporation is asking the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs to submit a revised bill governing the nation’s highways.
Currently, those who illegally occupy public roads for private use face up to two years in prison or a maximum seven million won fine.
The expressway operator aims to have the violators pay up to 20 million won in fines.