Although the freight truck parking lot in Songdo, Incheon, has finally opened after being left idle for over three years due to legal disputes, the area is experiencing chaos with a surge in illegal parking and the discovery of numerous vehicles without license plates.
According to Yeonsu-gu on July 2, the district office conducted a crackdown in the area surrounding the freight truck parking lot at the Aam Logistics 2 Complex in Songdo International City that afternoon, identifying a total of 32 violations.
The crackdown resulted in 8 fines issued to vehicles with license plates and 24 warning stickers attached to vehicles without license plates.
Among these, four vehicles without license plates, which had remained in place for ten days after receiving warning stickers, were towed from the scene.
Two small vehicles were moved to the Yeonsu-gu towing storage facility, while two large vehicles were transferred to a private contractor.
Lee Jae-ho, the head of Yeonsu-gu, who personally inspected the site that day, stated, "While the opening of the freight truck parking lot became inevitable following the court's decision, this does not mean that residents should have to compromise their safety or right to a peaceful living environment."
He further warned of strict enforcement, saying, "The grace period for parking enforcement during lunch and dinner hours for regular vehicles must not be applied to large freight trucks," and added, "We will enforce regulations to the maximum extent within the legal framework and tow away all abandoned trailers without license plates without exception."
The district office has also submitted a "Proposal No. 1" to Incheon City, calling for a full review of the freight truck parking lot operation plan and its relocation to an alternative site.
The proposal includes safety measures such as designating roads near residential areas as restricted zones for freight trucks until a relocation is finalized, restricting traffic during commuting and school hours, and conducting constant monitoring of vehicles that deviate from designated routes.
Previously, the Incheon Port Authority (IPA) spent approximately 5 billion won to construct the 402-space (50,000 square meters) freight truck parking lot at the Aam Logistics 2 Complex in December 2022. However, the project remained stalled for a long period after the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority rejected the application for the installation of temporary structures.
Following a final victory in the Supreme Court after a lawsuit filed by the IPA, the parking lot began full-scale operations on June 30, three years after its initial construction.
However, residents of the nearby Songdo District 8 continue to demand the relocation of the parking lot, citing concerns over potential issues such as exhaust fumes and threats to student safety near the densely populated residential area.
(Photo: Provided by Incheon Yeonsu-gu, Yonhap News)