South Korea

전 자치구에 장애인구역 주차위반 과태료 모바일 전자고지 도입 지원

Seoul Special City | Local Language | CityState | Oct. 31, 2025 | Regulation

Seoul City plans to introduce a mobile electronic notification service for fines related to violations of disabled parking zones across all autonomous districts. This system will be implemented in each district by the first half of 2026, with full-scale operation beginning in the second half of that year. The service will send fine notices directly to the mobile phones registered in the name of the payee, eliminating the need for separate applications to receive electronic notices.

The new notification process begins with a KakaoTalk message sent to the payee’s registered mobile phone, allowing them to view the notice, verify their identity, and make payment immediately via smartphone. If the notification is not opened within 24 hours, a traditional paper notice will be mailed. This system offers increased convenience by enabling immediate fine payment and provides a 20% discount for early payment made through the mobile platform. It also helps protect sensitive information and mitigates issues related to lost or damaged notices and address changes.

A pilot test conducted in Eunpyeong District from May to September 2025 showed a 36.7% reduction in costs associated with sending registered mail and improved delivery rates from 36% to 67%. Based on 76,593 fines issued in 2024, the cost savings from adopting mobile notifications could amount to approximately 100 million won. The city also anticipates environmental benefits due to decreased paper consumption and expects the mobile system to enhance public awareness of illegal parking in disabled zones through faster violation recognition.

The city has allocated 33 million won to each of 24 autonomous districts, excluding Eunpyeong which has already implemented the system, to develop the mobile electronic notification infrastructure. Each district is tasked with system construction by the first half of 2026, aiming for full deployment of the mobile notification service in the second half of the year.

Seoul City's Director of Welfare, Yoon Jong-jang, emphasized that this new service will increase citizen convenience in paying fines and significantly reduce notification mailing costs. Additionally, it is expected to support the mobility rights of persons with disabilities by raising public awareness regarding illegal parking in disabled parking spaces, an issue that has been increasing annually.

Yonhap | English | News | Oct. 31, 2025 | Shifting Geopolitical Alliances

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun urged Asia-Pacific partners to maintain an "open" and "connected" region amid ongoing economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, climate disruptions, and demographic shifts. Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Gyeongju, South Korea, Cho highlighted the Asia-Pacific's role as a key driver of global growth and emphasized the importance of upholding APEC's mission for regional prosperity.

The AMM, co-led by Cho and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, aims to finalize discussions on crucial agenda items including trade, security, digital cooperation, and supply chain resilience. South Korea, as the APEC host, is pushing to reach consensus on global trade challenges, especially amid rising protectionism and US-China competition. Ministers plan to adopt a joint statement detailing commitments to APEC initiatives, while efforts continue to finalize a leaders’ declaration on broader issues.

Central to South Korea’s agenda are artificial intelligence (AI) and demographic changes, framed as transformative factors for future prosperity. The AMM will also focus on digital transformation, food and energy security, and social protection to address climate and geopolitical risks. Despite past endorsements of the World Trade Organization (WTO) system as foundational for free trade, some divisions remain among member economies, affecting agreement prospects on the leaders’ declaration.

민노총이 쏘아올린 ‘새벽배송 전면금지’…정치권서 불붙은 생존권 논쟁

Maekyung | Local Language | News | Oct. 31, 2025 | Strikes and Work Stoppages

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions’ National Delivery Workers’ Union has proposed restrictions on late-night deliveries to protect workers’ health, igniting a political debate. Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon opposed a complete ban on dawn deliveries, arguing it would harm the daily lives of 20 million citizens, including workers and small business owners who depend on early-morning shopping and income from such deliveries. Han suggested that abolishing dawn deliveries outright would also negatively impact workers.

In response, former Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young criticized Han for lacking awareness of the societal issue of constant overwork and night work, emphasizing the health risks faced by dawn delivery workers. She accused Han of political maneuvering that divides workers and ignores their well-being. The exchange between Han and Jang escalated as Han broadened the issue to include all night and early-morning jobs, such as fisheries markets and convenience stores, dismissing calls for a dawn delivery ban as emotional and crude politics. Jang challenged Han to a formal public debate on the matter.

Progressive Party lawmaker Yun Jong-oh also entered the debate, criticizing Han’s remarks as irresponsible and misleading. Yun highlighted the harsh working conditions of "Coupang-style" dawn delivery drivers, who work long hours well beyond safe limits, contributing to overwork-related deaths. Yun noted proposals from the labor side to split shifts and restrict ultra-late-night deliveries as a balanced approach that acknowledges the need for dawn deliveries while protecting workers’ health. He urged the government and industry to engage in social dialogue based on this plan.