Residents mixed on Seoul's 'closed' tent crackdown

Those who do not open at least two sides of their tent at 11 Hangang parks are subject to fines of 1 million won. / Korea Times photo

By Kang Seung-woo

Seoul City's crackdown on closed tents at parks along the Han River is drawing a mixed response, sparking a debate over possible invasion of privacy.

Last month, the Seoul Metropolitan Government introduced regulations on putting up tents at riverside parks in the capital. People violating these are subject to a 1 million won ($875) fine.

The regulations include limiting the time people can use their own tents in designated areas to between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The most controversial one forces people to keep at least two sides of their tents open. This is supposed to prevent “inappropriate behavior” in closed tents in public spaces.

Those who approve of the new measures say they are essential to foster a healthy and sound culture at riverside parks that families with children visit.

“I often see young couples, maybe students, who indulge in excessive public displays of affection in tents at public parks that could offend some people visiting them. In this regard, I think the decision to ban closed tents is proper,” said an office worker, surnamed Jin who often visits a nearby park with his daughters.

Sweepers who clean up the parks said it is not rare to find contraceptive devices or hear “noises” coming from certain tents.

Another frequent park visitor, who declined to be identified, said, “Although I think it's a bit uncomfortable keeping the tent open with so many people passing by, I can put up with it as long as it gets rid of inappropriate acts in public places.”

However, others say the regulations are excessive, describing it as invading people's privacy.

“The riverside parks are public places, but the inside of a tent is a private space. Therefore, it is none of Seoul City's business to check on what people do in tents,” said Yu Jin-hee, who often goes for walks in Mangwon Hangang Park in Mapo-gu, western Seoul.

“By that logic, those who kiss in public places have to be clamped down on.”

Lee Ah-in, who lives near Nanji Hangang Park in Mapo, said, “People set up tents to take an undisturbed rest in a private space, so it would disturb me if people could see me in my tent.”

In addition, this particular regulation states that two sides of a tent must be left open even if it is raining, triggering complaints that flexibility is needed depending on the situation.

According to the city, about 40 million people visited Seoul's 11 riverside parks in 2008, but that number surged to 75 million by 2017.