SEOUL — Despite the official designation of Seoul Station and its surrounding outdoor areas as alcohol-free zones, daytime drinking and public disturbances by homeless individuals persisted on the first day of enforcement, raising questions about the policy’s practical effectiveness.

On Monday, the district offices of Jung-gu and Yongsan-gu jointly designated a combined 20,000-square-meter area encompassing Seoul Station plaza and its immediate vicinity as a non-drinking zone. The initiative aims to address long-standing complaints that public alcohol consumption and rowdiness have tarnished the gateway to the capital, driving away foreign tourists and commuters alike.

During a joint awareness campaign involving local authorities, police, railway officials, and support centers on Monday morning, officers distributed informational flyers and urged people to refrain from drinking. However, the measures were met with immediate resistance.

Park, a 67-year-old homeless man who has lived around Seoul Station for three years, hastily concealed a plastic bottle of soju inside his jacket when approached. Having removed the product label to evade crackdowns, Park expressed skepticism over the new rules. "If they crack down, I can just move down into the subway station," he said. "They say the fine is 50,000 won ($35), but where on earth am I supposed to get that kind of money?"

Despite the presence of officials unfurling banners that read "This plaza is an alcohol-free zone," small groups of homeless individuals continued to share drinks in paper cups on nearby stairwells. Meanwhile, foreign tourists, including visitors from Japan, hurried past the scene, visibly uncomfortable.

Concerns Over the 'Balloon Effect' and Resource Shortages

A grace period for the zone is set to run through the end of February next year, with actual fines of 50,000 won for public drinking slated to begin on March 1. However, critics point out several structural limitations in enforcing the policy.

The primary concern is the "balloon effect"—the likelihood that drinkers will simply shift their locations to adjacent areas just outside the jurisdiction of the newly designated zone, such as underground passages or underpasses, rather than stopping altogether. Sanitation workers cleaning subway underpasses reported finding numerous empty liquor bottles, noting that public drinking remains widespread in hidden corners.

Furthermore, experts question whether monetary fines can effectively deter individuals facing extreme poverty. With many homeless people lacking any steady income, a 50,000-won fine carries little deterrent value.

Resource constraints also pose a significant challenge. Jung-gu officials admitted that because the zone was designated abruptly, no dedicated enforcement budget or personnel could be secured in advance. As a result, the district must temporarily rely on existing staff tasked with monitoring smoking restrictions, with targeted patrols concentrated only during peak hours in the afternoon.

As Seoul attempts to clean up its primary transit hub, local authorities face a delicate balancing act between maintaining public order and providing sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations.

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