On Sunday, the 25th, in the afternoon at Yeouido Hangang Park in the Yeongdeungpo District of Seoul, office worker Kang Mo, 28, spread out a mat to sit on when a man approached him and said, "Young man, you don’t need puffed rice." When Kang replied, "I don’t need it," the man said, "Buy some puffed rice" and sought other customers.
Soon after, another vendor approached Kang, shouting, "Ice cream~ ice cream~" and got closer, saying, "It’s a hot day, why not buy an ice cream?"
A moment later, another vendor approached Kang and asked him to buy 'jjeon-digi (chewy rice cake).' The price was 3,000 won per bag, double the rate typically found in stores. When Kang refused, the vendor turned to other citizens. Though citizens said, "We don’t want to buy it," the vendor lingered nearby for 1 to 2 minutes, encouraging purchases. This vendor left Kang's vicinity but returned after 30 minutes.
Kang noted, "I came to relax and enjoy the clear sky at Hangang Park, but in just one hour, vendors approached me four times, ruining my weekend."
◇Unlicensed street vendors: they continue operating despite fines
According to the Seoul city government on the 28th, many unlicensed vendors and street stalls at Yeouido Hangang Park have caused some visitors to complain about their inconvenience. The city has imposed fines on the vendors and stalls, but unlicensed operations continue.
Upon entering Yeouido Hangang Park on the 25th, over 20 street stalls were immediately visible. One stall had a red and yellow umbrella with a sign saying "Mats, coffee, ice cream." A staff member was loudly welcoming visitors. Music was playing from a speaker.
Other stalls were selling a variety of foods, including tteokbokki, sundae, odeng, seafood pancakes, takoyaki, and yakisoba.
According to the Seoul city government, based on the 'Basic Ordinance on the Preservation and Use of Hangang Park,' if unlicensed stall owners and vendors are caught, they face fines of 70,000 won. The number of fines issued has been increasing yearly, from 1,880 in 2022 to 2,727 in 2023, and 2,888 last year. As of April this year, a total of 556 fines were issued. On the 25th alone, 49 enforcement actions were taken.
A 'Hangang security officer,' identified as A, who is conducting enforcement against the unlicensed vendors and stalls, said, "Most traders comply willingly, but sometimes there are complaints like, ‘Why do you have to announce this (about the enforcement) so loudly, customers will all run away.’"
Vendor B stated, "All vendors here are trying to make a living," and added, "We pay taxes (fines), so please don’t look at us too negatively."
In response, merchants who operate stores with permits at Hangang Park have expressed that they are suffering a loss in business. A 70-year-old man named Chae said, "We pay taxes and rent, yet stalls don’t pay for those, don’t they? (Renting mats) is more convenient for them, so citizens tend to go only to the stalls. It’s frustrating."
◇Due to it being a river area, unlicensed stall removal cannot be immediate… Seoul city says it will strengthen fines
Despite the circumstances, the Seoul city government cannot remove unlicensed stalls. Yeouido Hangang Park is located outside the embankment, which means the river law applies, not the road law.
If it were a regular road, stalls could be promptly removed under the road law. However, stalls installed on rivers can only be removed immediately in urgent situations, such as flood prevention. Since river occupancy is generally prohibited, it cannot be formalized like street stalls in Myeongdong.
The Seoul city government has stated it will strengthen the imposition of fines. A city official noted, "We will intensify crackdowns on illegal business activities of street vendors and hawkers, and we will post more informational banners."