Once voted the most scenic road in Korea, Bijarim Road today is often lined with illegally parked cars near the entrance of Saryeoni (사려니) Forest. To keep it clear, authorities have placed plastic barrels along the road, but that has spoiled the scenery and it has critics saying the area looks like a construction zone. Mike Laidman has more.
This is the stretch of Bijarim (비자림) Road near the entrance of Saryeoni (사려니) Forest.

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Bijarim Road once voted ‘most scenic road in Korea’

Cutting through lush greenery, Bijarim Road was once voted the most scenic road in Korea. But that’s not the case today.

Jeju City recently placed dozens of plastic barrels alongside the road to prevent drivers from parking illegally in front of the Saryeoni (사려니) Forest Path entrance.

[INTERVIEW]
Jeju City official
It’s a temporary measure to prevent drivers from parking along the road.
제주시 관계자
"차를 주차하지 못하도록 임시적으로 설치한 것 입니다."

But the barrels are clearly not serving their purpose.

[INTERVIEW]
Saryeoni Forest Path employee
People still park along the road as soon as you take your eyes away. The area next to the forest path is not an official parking lot, but people have been parking there anyway for a while.
사려니숲길 관계자
"한 눈만 팔면 바로 도로 옆에 세우죠.
(사려니숲길 안쪽은) 원래 공식 주차장은 아니고
예전부터 그냥 주차하니까..."

Drivers who come here to see Korea’s most scenic road often return home disappointed.

[INTERVIEW]
Cho Gyeong-hee / Tourist
They should find a different way to do this. It looks like a construction site. It’s spoiling the view of the road.
조경희/관광객
"다른 방법으로 해야죠. 공사장에 있을 법하잖아요.
숲길을 망치는 거죠."

[camera]
Hyeon Gwang-hoon

The road maintenance office has said that it plans to remove the barrels and instead install rubber sidewalk mats and boundary stones.

[INTERVIEW]
Road maintenance official
We will install rubber sidewalk mats and boundary stones. Construction should start in the middle of the month.
도로관리사업소 관계자
"식생매트로 인도시설을 설치하고
경계석을 설치할 것 입니다.
9월 중순정도 되면 공사 발주하려고 준비하고 있습니다."

[reporter]
Mike Laidman

Temporary as it may be, these short-sighted measures on Bijarim Road have turned what was once Korea’s most scenic road into something more likeable to a construction site. Mike Laidman, KCTV