As claims such as the school zone speed limit being tightened to 20 kph from the new year spread mainly on social media (SNS), the Korean National Police Agency said they were "not true or exaggerated information."
On the 16th, the Korean National Police Agency said in a press release regarding a recently circulated image titled "Traffic laws changing in 2026" that it was "false information that distorts content for which there are no revision plans as if it were a finalized system."
First, the claim that the school zone speed limit will be lowered from 30 kph to 20 kph is not true. The Korean National Police Agency said, "The principle remains that the school zone speed limit is within 30 kph as it is now, and there are no plans to revise the Road Traffic Act to lower all sections to 20 kph." However, under the Road Traffic Act, it is possible to impose a 20 kph limit with a separate sign only on certain sections with high risk.
The claim that the minimum driving age for personal mobility devices (PM), such as electric kickboards, will be raised to 18 is also false. Under current law, anyone 16 or older who can obtain a moped license can legally drive them.
The claim that the drunk driving threshold will be tightened to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02% has also been confirmed as "fake news." Under the Yoon Chang-ho Act, the threshold was already tightened to 0.03% or higher in 2018, and there are currently no additional plans, according to the Korean National Police Agency.
The claim that vehicles parked or stopped on a bicycle road will be towed immediately is also not true. If they pose a danger or obstruction to traffic, a relocation measure can be taken, but they are not subject to immediate towing. It can also vary depending on the local government ordinance and on-site conditions.
In addition, the claims that the law was revised to allow collection and use of vehicle owners' mobile phone numbers for illegal parking enforcement and that new license plates will be introduced starting in 2026 are both false.
There is also inaccurate information mixed in. The claim that drivers must always make a full stop at a crosswalk is only partly correct. At ordinary crosswalks, the duty to make a temporary stop arises only when a pedestrian is crossing or attempting to cross. At crosswalks without traffic signals within child protection zones, drivers must make a full stop regardless of whether pedestrians are present.
Regarding driver's license renewal intervals, the claim that "those 70 and older must renew every three years" is also not accurate. Under the current system, the renewal interval is five years for those 65 and older but under 75, and three years for those 75 and older.
The Korean National Police Agency said, "When information related to changes in traffic laws is circulated online, please be sure to check whether there has been an official announcement or a legal revision," adding, "We will proactively clarify the facts to prevent confusion caused by incorrect information."