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| People relax at Yeouido Han River Park in Seoul, May 9. Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han |
By Jun Ji-hye
Controversy is growing over the Seoul Metropolitan Government's (SMG) recent announcement that it is considering designating the 11 parks on the Han River as alcohol free zones.
The city government cited concerns over COVID-19 infections, but critics called the measure an "excessive regulation" that infringes on individual freedom.
Park Yoo-mi, chief of citizens' public health for the city government, told a press briefing, Wednesday, that concerns have been raised over the possible spread of COVID-19, because people have been flocking to Han River parks in recent weeks as the weather has been getting warmer. Many people visit the parks at nighttime to drink, as bars and restaurants close at 10 p.m. as part of the social distancing guidelines.
"Regarding the designation of a no alcohol zone, we have been talking to the relevant departments about the scope and timespan," Park said.
The city's discussion about the designation comes as the National Health Promotion Act was revised lat December to impose a fine of up to 100,000 won ($88) on those caught drinking in zones designated as alcohol free by local governments. The revision is set to take effect June 30.
The city said that it is currently reviewing various measures, including designating parts of the 11 Han River parks as alcohol free zones or prohibiting drinking at nighttime only.
The announcement has drawn criticism from citizens who say that the measure is too excessive, at a time when many people are suffering from worsening mental fatigue due to having to follow the social distancing guidelines amid the prolonged public health crisis, which has lasted for more than a year.
"People go to the Han River parks to experience the feeling of freedom in an open and wide space amidst the pandemic. Drinking is way of relaxing and relieving stress," Yim Joon-seok, a 36-year-old office worker in Seoul, said. "The no alcohol zone designation seems like repression."
Political commentator Kim Min-ha also pointed out, "Although the measure that the city is considering reflects concerns over COVID-19 infections, designating no alcohol zones is too excessive. Regardless of whether people are drinking in the Han River parks or not, this is an issue that government officials and the police should resolve instead by just making sure that people are indeed complying with social distancing guidelines."
But others have said that, in addition to virus concerns, the designation is necessary due to a recent incident in which a medical school student in his 20s went missing, and was then found dead in the Han River after drinking in Banpo Hangang Park with his friend.
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| Flowers are laid on the banks of the Han River at Banpo Han River Park, May 9, to express condolences for a medical school student who was found dead in the river. Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han |
"I want the city authorities to clamp down on drinking at Han River parks at least at night and install more CCTV cameras so that people will use the parks more safely," an individual wrote on the SMG's website.
