[The Kulture Wave] How S. Korea is battling overtourism

Summary

This video covers the growing issue of over-tourism in Korea, particularly in the popular Pon Hanuk Village. New regulations, including a curfew and fines for violations, aim to balance residents' quality of life with tourism. The district has divided the village into color-coded zones with stricter rules in high-traffic areas. International visitors might not be fully aware of these changes, but the policy aims to reduce disturbances. Similar strategies in Venice and Japan highlight global efforts to manage tourism, with Korea planning further measures, such as restricting tour buses in 2026, to ensure sustainability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pon Hanuk Village in South Korea is experiencing over-tourism, leading to noise, littering, and disruptive behavior by visitors.
• 😀 The South Korean government has designated Pon Hanuk Village as the country's first special management area under the Tourism Promotion Act to address over-tourism.
• 😀 A curfew has been implemented for the red zone of the village, restricting tourist access between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to allow residents peace and quiet.
• 😀 Visitors can still access stores, museums, and accommodations within the restricted areas, but sightseeing is limited during curfew hours.
• 😀 Local residents are supportive of the curfew, noting a noticeable improvement in their quality of life since its implementation.
• 😀 Some business owners in the area are concerned about the impact of these restrictions on their livelihoods and suggest more flexibility.
• 😀 Other countries are also tackling over-tourism, with Venice, Italy, introducing an entrance fee for tourists and Kyoto, Japan, restricting access to certain areas.
• 😀 Venice's entrance fee, initially implemented in 2023, will be doubled in the coming year to €1, and it aims to regulate the number of tourists entering the city.
• 😀 Starting in 2026, Pon Hanuk Village will also restrict charter tour buses to reduce traffic congestion and illegal parking.
• 😀 Pon Hanuk Village is encouraging visitors to avoid coming on Sundays, which has been designated as a rest day for the village's alleyways.
• 😀 Over-tourism is a global issue, and Pon Hanuk Village's approach serves as a model for balancing tourism with local residents' quality of life.

Q & A

What recent policy was introduced in Bukchon Hanok Village to address over-tourism?

A new policy was introduced in July, designating Bukchon Hanok Village as Korea's first special management area under the Tourism Promotion Act. This policy allows the imposition of fines for violations and includes specific guidelines on tourist behavior in different zones within the village.

What issues has over-tourism caused in Bukchon Hanok Village?

Over-tourism has led to several issues, including noise disturbances from rolling suitcases, littering, inappropriate behavior such as relieving oneself near homes, and unauthorized people entering private houses to take photos. These problems have negatively impacted the residents and caused a significant population drop.

How does the new policy regulate tourist activity in Bukchon Hanok Village?

The village is divided into color-coded zones, with the strictest regulations in the red zone. In the red zone, tourists are prohibited from entering between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m., although exceptions exist for those visiting stores, museums, or staying in accommodations. Monitoring personnel guide tourists to ensure compliance.

What has been the reaction from local residents to the new policy?

Local residents have expressed relief, stating that the new policy has significantly improved their quality of life, allowing for peaceful mornings and evenings without disturbances from tourists.

How do tourists feel about the new restrictions in Bukchon Hanok Village?

Most tourists understand the purpose of the policy and agree with it, although some have suggested clearer guidance, such as more prominent signage to inform them of the restrictions.

What concerns do local business owners have regarding the new restrictions?

Some local business owners are concerned that the strict regulations may negatively impact their businesses. They suggest that a more flexible approach, such as designating specific times for visitor access, would be more beneficial.

What is the broader issue of over-tourism, and how are other countries addressing it?

Over-tourism is a global issue, and other countries have implemented measures to mitigate it. For instance, Venice introduced an entrance fee for tourists, while Japan has restricted access to certain areas in Kyoto to control overcrowding and littering.

What future plans does the district office have to manage over-tourism in Bukchon Hanok Village?

Starting in January 2026, the district office plans to restrict the passage of charter tour buses in the area to reduce traffic congestion and illegal parking. Visitors will be encouraged to park outside the village and tour on foot.

Why has Bukchon Hanok Village designated Sundays as a rest day for the Alleyways?

Sundays have been designated as a rest day for the Alleyways to allow residents a day without tourist disturbances, helping to preserve the quality of life for those living in the village.

How does the situation in Bukchon Hanok Village compare to other popular tourist destinations?

Like places such as Venice and Kyoto, Bukchon Hanok Village faces significant challenges from over-tourism. However, the steps taken by Korea, including the imposition of strict regulations and zoning, aim to balance the needs of both residents and visitors, which could serve as a model for other tourist hotspots worldwide.