This file photo shows an alley crowded with tourists in central Seoul's Bukchon Hanok Village. Korea Times photo by Park Si-mon

The Seoul city government said Friday it will formally implement a policy to restrict tourist visits to a special management area of the city's historic Bukchon Hanok Village, beginning March 1, and start to impose fines on violators.

Under the policy meant to address overtourism, tourists are allowed to visit Bukchon's special management area, which is located behind the Jeongdok Library between Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace in central Jongno District, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Those entering the area, dubbed the "red zone," for tourism purposes outside of these hours will be subject to a fine of 100,000 won ($67), according to the Jongno District Office.

However, residents registered in the red zone, their families, acquaintances, customers of stores in the zone, merchants, guests of accommodations in the zone, people simply passing through the zone without any tourism activities and vehicles not used for tourism purposes are excluded from the fines, the office said.

The tourist curfew for the red zone was introduced on a trial basis last November to prevent various disturbances to its residents.

The office explained that tourism activities regulated during the curfew hours include taking photos or videos, staying and observing the surroundings or wandering the streets for tourism purposes regardless of using stores. (Yonhap)