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Seoul’s Bukchon Hanok Village Imposes Tourist Limits; Here's All You Need To Know

South Korea is taking a proactive stance by introducing new curfew measures in Seoul’s historic Bukchon Hanok Village. This initiative aims to protect cultural heritage, with a trial phase set to commence in November

Tourists explore traditional Korean architecture at Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul Photo: dotmiller1986/Shutterstock
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In many countries, overtourism has become a significant issue. The increasing number of visitors has led to many regions being overwhelmed by tourists, resulting in negative impacts such as pollution and damage to local sites. To address this problem, South Korea is implementing new curfew measures in Seoul’s historic Bukchon Hanok Village. A trial phase is set to begin in November, with complete implementation expected by March of next year. This policy will restrict tourist access to some regions of Bukchon from 5 PM to 10 AM. The goal is to relieve pressure on the local community, and violators may face fines of up to 100,000 won (approximately $72). This initiative has sparked a debate among residents, business owners, and tourists about the implications of these restrictions.