Seoul cracks down on Cheonggyecheon coin collectors, bathers
After videos of people taking coins used to make wishes and washing themselves in the stream went viral, the city announced plans for tougher enforcement and fines at the city's iconic waterway.
A woman is seen bathing herself by Cheonggyecheon in Jongno District, central Seoul.SCREEN CAPTURE
Collecting coins from Cheonggyecheon or taking a bath in its waters could soon come with a price.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Thursday that it plans to introduce fines for disruptive behavior at Cheonggyecheon in Jongno District, central Seoul.
The announcement comes after a series of disruptive behaviors were flagged by the public, including a video of a woman bathing herself in the stream that went viral on social media earlier this week.
Another video posted on social media earlier in the month sparked public outrage: It showed a man and woman wading into the water to collect coins that visitors had tossed in to make wishes. The coins are normally collected by Seoul city officials each month and are supposed to go to charity.
To protect the stream, the city has assigned a dedicated patrol officer to two areas where violations have occurred. One is Palseokdam, the stone basin where people have been caught collecting wish coins. The other is the area around Gosanja Bridge, where the woman was seen bathing.
The Seoul Facilities Corporation already deploys 40 safety personnel to patrol the entire 8.12-kilometer (5.1-mile) waterway in shifts.
The city also installed additional banners and signs at six locations to remind visitors that entering the water, bathing, smoking and drinking alcohol are all prohibited.
A man and a woman are seen collecting coins that had been tossed by visitors making wishes into the Somangseok, or Wish Stone, in Cheonggyecheon in Jongno District, central Seoul.SCREEN CAPTURE
The city also plans to overhaul its enforcement system by shifting from a guidance-based approach to one that combines prevention, on-site enforcement and penalties. Officials will revise relevant laws and municipal ordinances to support the changes.
The city plans to amend its ordinances where current rules fall short, clearly define prohibited conduct and penalty standards and establish a legal basis for imposing fines.
“Cheonggyecheon is one of Seoul's signature public spaces, shared by residents and visitors from Korea and abroad. A handful of illegal and inconsiderate acts should not inconvenience everyone else,” said Jeong Seong-guk, an official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Water Circulation Safety Bureau. “We have assigned dedicated personnel to areas where problems have occurred and will quickly establish effective enforcement measures, including fines, to ensure Cheonggyecheon remains a safe and pleasant place for everyone.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
