Small Business Community Opposes Crackdown on Two-Wheeled Vehicle Parking, Citing Disregard for Commercial District Realities

"It Will Ultimately Harm Consumers"

The small business community has voiced its opposition to the proposed partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act, which centers on imposing fines for illegal parking of two-wheeled vehicles.

A delivery rider is preparing for a delivery in front of a restaurant in downtown Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On July 8, the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprises issued a statement, saying, "In June, the National Police Agency pre-announced a revision that would impose fines ranging from a minimum of 30,000 won to a maximum of 90,000 won on owners of illegally parked two-wheeled vehicles, even if the driver is not present at the scene." The statement continued, "While we agree with the intent to ensure pedestrian safety, we express deep concern and strong regret over the government's one-sided enforcement of traffic regulations, which focuses solely on crackdowns and penalties without providing even the minimum legal parking infrastructure for motorcycles."

The industry emphasized that in the current situation, where delivery services are deeply entrenched in the small business economy, a policy focused solely on crackdowns could lead to unintended consequences. The federation stated, "Amid a severe domestic demand slump, rapid delivery and logistics using two-wheeled vehicles have become essential for the survival of small business owners in restaurants, cafes, and small and medium-sized retail sectors." They argued, "Uniform crackdowns that do not take into account the characteristics of commercial districts, where frequent parking and stopping are necessary for loading and unloading, will result in disruptions to alleyway logistics and a decline in delivery services."

They added, "If an unnecessary new system is created that shifts the burden onto small business owners and delivery riders, it is clear that the ripple effects will ultimately come back as a boomerang of harm to consumers."

Song Chiyeong, President of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprises, said, "Issues of livelihood are just as important as creating a safe walking environment," and added, "We oppose this amendment, which ignores the harsh realities faced by the working class, and will continue to represent the voices from the field until fundamental infrastructure solutions are put in place."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.