"It's Haeundae, So What?" "But Not at the Supermarket" -- The Intensifying 'Bikini Debate'

Sightings Beyond the Beach: Cafes, Supermarkets, and Even Near Jangsan Station
Urban Structure Where Tourism and Residential Areas Overlap Fuels Conflict
No Clear Enforcement Standards Under Current Law
Some European Resorts Impose Fines Wi

How far should society allow people to move around in swimsuits worn at the beach? After a customer wearing a bikini was denied entry at a café near Haeundae Beach in Busan, reports also surfaced of vacationers seen in swimsuits at a large supermarket and in residential areas more than a 20-minute walk from the beach. This has sparked an intensifying debate over the boundaries of wearing swimwear off the beach. The issue is expanding beyond a matter of personal fashion preferences, raising conflicts between the openness of tourist destinations, the lifestyle of local residents, and the entry policies of individual businesses.

At the end of last month, as the scorching heat continued, Haeundae Beach in Busan was crowded with people welcoming the peak vacation season. Yonhap News

On August 5, Yonhap News introduced the ongoing controversy over how far and where vacationers in swimsuits should be allowed to move around near Haeundae Beach. The debate began late last month, when a vacationer, wearing a large beach towel over her bikini, tried to order a takeaway drink at a café. She was told by the staff that her drink would be handed to her outside the shop. The customer explained that she had not yet been in the water, so her body and towel were dry and free of sand. As her story spread online, opinions became divided over whether the café's response was reasonable.

The controversy widened further when witness accounts appeared, stating that people in swimsuits were seen at a large supermarket about a 22-minute walk from Haeundae Beach and near Jangsan Station, over 30 minutes away. The supermarket said that, during the vacation season, they typically see about two to three customers per day in swimwear and that they currently do not restrict their entry.

"Someone's Everyday Space" vs "Consideration for Resort Characteristics"

Critics online have pointed out that Haeundae is not just a tourist hotspot but also a densely populated area with large apartment complexes, schools, and workplaces. While wearing swimwear at the beach or on the promenade may be understandable, they argue that moving around cafés, supermarkets frequented by families, public transportation, and residential neighborhoods in only a swimsuit is not appropriate for those locations. Concerns were also raised about hygiene and facility management issues caused by wet bodies or sand.

As the hot weather continues day after day, citizens and tourists visiting Haeundae Beach in Busan are resting under parasols, enjoying the leisure of the midsummer beach. Photo by Yonhap News

Some self-identified long-term Haeundae residents commented that, while tourists may only be staying temporarily, for locals the area is part of everyday life, including commuting and shopping. They suggested it is considerate to at least wear a light outer garment or beachwear over swimwear. On the other hand, others argued that it is wrong to completely disregard the area's identity as a leading marine tourism destination. For businesses located directly on the beach, a mix of swimsuits and everyday clothing should be considered a natural part of the landscape.

As the heatwave continues, tourists are enjoying playing in the water while facing the incoming waves at Haeundae Beach in Busan. Photo by Yonhap News

Some believe it is excessive to prohibit ordering take-out in situations where the body is dry and free of sand. They argue that a city positioning itself as a tourist destination should not apply the exact same dress code as typical city centers. Meanwhile, some residents recall that in the past it was more common and accepted for people in swimsuits to use restaurants or shops near Haeundae Beach.

Difficult to Punish for Swimsuits Alone

So does current law allow for legal sanctions? Legal experts generally agree that wearing a typical swimsuit cannot immediately be judged as indecent exposure. The Minor Offenses Act defines indecent exposure as showing private parts such as genitals or buttocks in public places, causing discomfort to others. Ordinary bikinis and swimsuits that cover major areas are not subject to this law simply because of what they are.

However, legal punishments and individual business entry policies are separate matters. Cafés, restaurants, and supermarkets may set their own dress codes based on concerns over hygiene, facility management, and the convenience of other patrons. In such cases, posting signs at the entrance—such as "Customers wearing only swimsuits may be restricted from entry" or "Please wear outer clothing before entering"—is considered a practical way to reduce unnecessary conflicts.

Yonhap News Agency

Even at famous overseas resorts, walking around in swimsuits is not always entirely permissible. In fact, some European cities with booming tourist populations have drawn strict boundaries between the beach and the city, strengthening dress code regulations. In Sorrento, Italy, since 2022, wearing only swimsuits or walking around shirtless on the street has been prohibited, with violators facing fines from 25 to 500 euros. Sorrento explained at the time that the rule aimed to reduce the discomfort of residents and tourists alike while protecting the city’s living environment and tourism image.

Ajaccio, on the French island of Corsica, also restricts wearing only swimsuits or being shirtless on public roads except in the beach and nearby areas during specific periods each year. In other French resort cities such as Arcachon, Nice, and Cannes, guidance is in place requiring “appropriate attire” outside of beaches. Split, Croatia, has designated its historical city center—a major tourist attraction—as a separate “dignity zone,” where walking around in swimwear or revealing excessive amounts of skin is prohibited, and signs have been installed. Local tourism authorities in Split state these measures are not excessively conservative controls but actions to protect the ordinary functioning of a city in which people live, not just a tourist sight.

Clear Guidelines Before Crackdowns

Domestic experts advise that, rather than immediately introducing fines or crackdowns, local governments and business districts should first establish predictable standards. For example, swimsuits could be permitted at the beach and along the promenade, but light cover-ups such as beach gowns or T-shirts could be recommended when going beyond a certain distance into shopping or residential districts. Each business should also clearly display whether they allow swimwear and if entry is restricted when patrons are wet.

Haeundae District Office stated that it currently lacks both the authority and any specific standards for restricting movement in swimsuits, but it may review response measures if related complaints persist. Legal and urban society experts also recommend that, rather than punishment, priority be given to voluntary entrance management by businesses and clear area-specific guidelines or signs installed by local governments. They emphasize that instead of unconditional bans or permissions, clearly indicating the boundaries between beach and residential areas and requiring businesses to pre-notify their dress code standards are more effective in reducing unnecessary conflicts. In order for freedom at resorts and local residents’ daily life to coexist, clear social standards regarding movement and attire must be established first.

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