Too many tourists, Korean ancient village has to limit visiting hours

(CLO) Seoul City Government (South Korea) will limit tourists to Bukchon Hanok Village from November to deal with the problem of overtourism.

Bukchon Hanok Village imposes curfew from 5pm to 10am to limit visitors, causing mixed opinions.

Specifically, the Jongno District Office, Seoul, said the curfew will be tested from November and last for 3 months, in densely populated and famous areas of the village.

The beauty of Bukchon Hanok ancient village, Korea. Photo: HQ

The regulation will officially take effect in March 2025. Accordingly, day-trippers who violate the curfew will be fined up to 100,000 won ($72).

Residents, business owners and overnight guests staying at traditional hanok houses in the village will be exempted.

Kwon Young Doo, head of the Asian Culture Art Museum at Bukchon Hanok Village, said he was worried that tourists would not visit the destination after the curfew was imposed.

Jongno District Chairman Chung Moon Hun said the local government's curfew regulations are intended to protect the rights of the people, and the regulations will continue to be changed to bring about the best results.

Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional village that dates back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). It attracts tourists with its many small alleys lined with hanok houses with wooden pillars and characteristic tiled roofs.

Since the village was featured on a Korean TV show 10 years ago, the site has increasingly attracted attention from visitors from all over the world .

In 2023, the ancient village attracted about 6.4 million tourists, more than 1,000 times the number of residents - about 6,100 people.

However, as the area becomes increasingly popular with tourists, residents here face a host of overtourism problems, such as excessive noise, littering and invasion of privacy day and night.

According to locals, some tourists have even been caught trying to break into private homes or peek without permission.

Many residents have chosen to leave the village. According to statistics from the Jongno District Office, the village's population has decreased by 28% in the past five years.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/du-khach-qua-dong-lang-co-han-quoc-phai-ap-lenh-gioi-nghiem-post319973.html