The small island of Udo is a must-see for many visitors to Jeju. It’s so popular, that the roads on the island are often congested with countless rental cars. The province is therefore banning rental cars there beginning next month. As Mike Laidman now reports, that has Udo business owners concerned.




Report

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Seongsan Port

(성산) Seongsan Port is the main gateway to (우도) Udo Island - a port that regularly sees vehicles waiting in a long line for their turn to board the ferry.

And a common trend in the summer is that most of these cars are rentals.

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Rental cars banned from Udo Island beginning in August

Authorities will ban the entry of rental cars and buses to Udo Island beginning next month.

It is a countermeasure to keep the traffic flow stable and to reduce risks of accidents on the small island.

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Ban in place through July 2018, maybe longer

The province will begin the ban from next month and it will continue through to the end of July, 2018.

This year-long test will help the province determine whether or not additional action must be taken.

During the test run, violators will be fined at 100,000 won per car.

INTERVIEW
Oh Jeong-hun / Dir., Provincial dept. of transport & tourism planning
We will regulate the number of commercial vehicles on Udo Island and ban the entry of rental cars and buses..
<인터뷰 : 오정훈 / 제주도 교통관광기획단장>
"우도에서는 신규 사업용 자동차 증가는 억제되고, 도항선을 통해서 우도에 들어가는 차량 특히 렌터카와 전세버스는 운행이 제한됩니다."

While this measure should go along way to curbing traffic issues, the incomes of island residents are almost certain to be affected.

In addition, ferry operator earnings will decrease as the number of cars moving between the island and the province will drop, despite the province deciding to increase ferry fares for the first time in 17 years.

Recording
Ferry company employee
Tourists usually bring their rental cars to Udo Island and stay overnight. But from next month, many tourists will likely pass on visiting the island due to the inconvenience, which means a drop in profits for us.
<싱크 : 도항선사 관계자>
"원래는 렌터카를 갖고 가서 우도를 구경하거나 하룻밤 자고 나오는데, 이제 못들어가면 그 사람들이 불편해서 아예 안 들어갈 수도 있잖아요. 그러면 수입이 엄청 줄어든다고 봐야죠. 차량도 못들어가지. 사람도 줄지."

Some vendors oppose the province’s plan because of income loss.

INTERVIEW
Go Bong-jun / Merchant on Udo Island
If the province prevents rental cars from entering Udo, the number of visitors, especially families, will drop. Merchants near the coast might have to close their businesses.
<인터뷰 : 고봉준 / 우도 상인>
"법적으로 묶이게 되면 관광객이 더더욱이나 여름철에는 가족단위 여행이 많이 줄어들 것이다. 그리고, 해안도로를 낀 소상공인들은 영업이 거의 중단사태까지 올 수도 있다고 봅니다."

The number of vehicles making the trip to Udo Island numbers 3,200 on average per day - a huge number for the small island.

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

Businesses on Udo Island have announced they will form a union for protest the province’s policy, meaning conflicts, and a drawn-out process, are likely on the horizon.

Mike Laidman KCTV