Parking has long been a serious problem in downtown Seogwipo around (1호) Il-ho Plaza. Now, it seems a solution is in the works… in the form of a multi-storey parking garage. Mike Balfour reports.
This is a road in Seogwipo’s original townsite Seogwi-dong(서귀동).

Countless cars are illegally parked alongside the road. Not only does this cause inconvenience for pedestrians, it also leads to traffic accidents that could otherwise be avoided.

[INTERVIEW]
Oh Doo-sik / Cheonji-dong, Seogwipo
I live here so it’s okay for me but drivers keep parking here. Recently one driver complained that another car scratched his… it’s tough.
< 오두식 / 서귀포시 천지동 >
나는 여기 연립주택 사니까 괜찮은데 다른 차들이 세워놓고 나가다가 최근에 누가 박고 가버렸다고...굉장히 힘들어요.


In a recent survey of Seogwipo residents, illegal parking was chosen as the number one problem in the region. On a scale of 1 to 5… with 5 being the most serious… illegal parking averaged 3.4… beating out illegal garbage disposals and inhospitality as Seogwipo’s most serious problem.


Seogwipo has announced that it will increase the number of parking facilities to address the issue. First, the Cheonji public parking building near Il-ho(1호) Plaza has had extensions added and it will be ready for use from October. The new multi-storey parking lot will be able to hold up to 229 vehicles. The facility will be free of charge for the first month but users will be required to pay parking fees from November.

[camera]
Moon Ho-seong

The Joongang(중앙) public parking building near the entrance of Maeil Olle(매일올레) Market will also have extension work conducted from November. Currently it has parking spaces for 206 vehicles. Once the work is finished in April next year, it will be able to hold 329 vehicles.

[INTERVIEW]
Park Jin-young / Seogwipo Parking & Environment Division
The situation is very serious around Il-ho Plaza. Many tourists also come to the area so we plan to increase parking little by little as we secure funding.
< 박진영 / 서귀포시 주차환경담당 >
1호광장, 구도심권이 아주 심각한 실정입니다. 늘어나는 관광객들도 많이 이용하고 그래서 주차빌딩을 지속적으로 예산 확보해서
/// 연차적으로 확보해나갈 계획입니다.

A rise in the number of Seogwipo residents and tourists is adding to the illegal parking problem.

[REPORTER]
Mike Balfour

But hopes are high that the situation will improve once more parking lots are made available.

Mike Balfour KCTV