A citizen was captured occupying five parking spaces at a public parking lot in Hangang Park, Seoul, causing controversy.
On the 19th, a photo was posted on an online community titled 'Friday rush hour at Mangwon Hangang Park.'
The released photo shows a gray sports utility vehicle (SUV) parked, surrounded on all four sides by camping folding chairs, boxes, shopping bags, and storage bins.
It appears that a 'land grab' was done to prevent other vehicles from parking.
The author, Ms. A, said, 'As the quitting time approached, cars flocked to Hangang Park. Everyone was looking for parking spaces, but the middle-aged woman driving the SUV had taken over the parking lot,' and noted, 'She occupied as many as five spots. It was so ridiculous that I just watched. She got out of the car and sat confidently in a camping chair waiting for her group.'
'It was so absurd that as I watched, the SUV owner, wearing sunglasses, sat in the camping chair (left on the parking space) and leisurely waited while shaking off dirt from her legs,' she continued, 'Whenever someone tried to park, she was ready to confront them immediately. She loudly declared that 'a car is coming right now.' I wanted to say something, but based on experience, I felt it would lead to a fight, so I held back. How long do we have to witness this kind of scene?'
Internet users reacted, saying, 'Shouldn't there be a banner stating that parking spots are prioritized for vehicles that arrived first?' 'Why are there so many unreasonable people?' and 'If it were me, I would block in front and call the police.'
Under current law, there is no right to reserve specific spaces in public parking lots. However, the local government, which is the managing authority of the parking lot, can order the cessation of such reserving behavior as per the parking lot law and can impose fines for non-compliance.
Additionally, if one ignores the guidance of parking attendants or obstructs vehicle entry with items, they may be charged with obstruction of official duties or general traffic obstruction.