Penalties are being tightened against individuals who block apartment or commercial parking lot entrances with their vehicles, disrupting traffic.

Violators will now face fines of up to 5 million won, and their vehicles will be subject to towing.

The revised Parking Lot Act and its enforcement decree, which strengthen sanctions against blocking parking lot entrances and exits, take effect today.

Under the revised rules, anyone is prohibited from parking a vehicle at the entrance of an off-street parking lot or an attached parking lot in a way that blocks other vehicles from entering or exiting.

Blocking the entrances of parking lots attached to buildings such as apartments, officetels, and commercial complexes is also subject to sanctions.

Fines for violations increase significantly based on the number of offenses, ranging from 1 million won for a first violation to 5 million won for a third or subsequent violation.

Additionally, if a vehicle blocks a parking lot entrance, the parking lot manager can advise the driver to move it and request action from local government authorities if the driver refuses.

Upon receiving such a request, local authorities can tow the vehicle to another location.

Critics have consistently pointed out that administrative agencies previously struggled to respond quickly when vehicles blocked entrances in apartment complexes or commercial parking lots because they were classified as private property.

In particular, controversies arose when drivers involved in parking disputes abandoned their vehicles at entrances, blocking numerous residents or visitors for extended periods.

With the implementation of this new measure, practical means of sanctioning parking lot entrance blockages, which were previously difficult to address swiftly, are expected to be established.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Ahn Jun-hyeok | Design by Sumin | Produced by SBS Digital News