2️⃣ Right-hand traffic

Korea drives on the right side.

This applies to:

• Driving on roads
• Walking in subway stations
• Entering and exiting buildings

At entrances and exits, keep right. Most parking lots follow the same rule.

Every parking lot is different, and unexpected things can happen.

‍So drivers need to use not only the rules, but also common sense, flexibility, and courtesy.

3️⃣ Courtesy is skill

When the rules don't clearly apply, whoever can yield more easily, yields.

Koreans usually judge by:

• Who arrived first?
• Who has less room to maneuver?
• Who can reverse more easily?
• Does the other driver look scared or confused?

👉 In Korean parking lots, flexibility and courtesy matter more than strict priority rules.

🗣️ What "good parking" means in Korea

In Korea, "good at parking" doesn't just mean "fits the car in one shot."

It also means:

• Did you leave space for others to pass?
• Can the next car's door open fully?
• Are you not blocking anyone's exit?
• Is the car straight, not sticking out?
• Did you park without disrupting the flow?
• Are you reachable if someone needs you to move?

So in Korea, parking is less about technique, more about :

Spatial awareness + Courtesy + Quick judgment

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3 must-know manners

1️⃣ Leave your phone number

Korean drivers often leave a contact number visible inside the windshield.

Why?

• Spaces are tight — others may need you to move
• Double parking happens (more on this below)
• Someone might need to get out and your car is in the way

Can Other Drivers Contact You?

✅ Korean Drivers
(010-XXXX-XXXX)

Most Korean drivers use a Korean mobile number and can be contacted normally.

✅ Foreign Visitors with a Korean Number
(010–XXXX-XXXX)

Some visitors receive a temporary Korean number when using a Korean SIM card or certain eSIM plans.

These numbers usually work like a regular Korean phone number and can be used for parking contact cards.

✅ Foreign Visitors Using Roaming
(+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX)
(+49 XXX-XXXXXXX)

Visitors using roaming keep their home-country phone number.

They can still receive calls, but other drivers must call an international number.

❌ Foreign Visitors Using a Data-Only eSIM

Most travel eSIMs provide data only and do not include a phone number.

These users cannot receive ordinary phone calls or text messages.

If you use a data-only eSIM and do not have a working phone number, check with the rental company for an alternative contact method.

⚠️ If you do not have a reachable phone number, other drivers or parking attendants may not be be able to contact you if your vehicle is causing a problem.

⚠️ In some cases, this could result in towing or other parking enforcement actions.

2️⃣ Hazard lights (비상점멸등)

On the road, Koreans often use hazard lights to say “sorry” or “thank you.” But in parking lots, the meaning is a bit different.

In parking lots, they usually mean:

• “I’m about to park.”
• “I need a moment.”
• “Please wait.”
• “I’m briefly stopped.”
• “Please go around me if you can.”

Right before pulling into a tight parking space, drivers often turn on their hazard lights.

This means, “I’m going to park here, so please give me a moment.”

3️⃣ Double parking (이중주차)

In Korea, you may see double-parked cars in apartment complexes and older buildings.
This means one row of cars is parked behind another row.

People do this because parking space is limited.
But it is not an officially recommended way to park.

If double parking is allowed or there is no other choice, remember these rules:

• ✅ Leave your phone number where people can see it.
• ✅ If the ground is flat and it is safe, leave the car in neutral N and do not use the parking brake.
  (This lets others push the car a little if they need to leave.)
• ✅ Do not block entrances, exits, ramps, or busy lanes.
• ✅ If someone calls you, come quickly and move your car.

Double parking is common in Korea, but only in some places.
It does not mean you can park anywhere.

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Apartments have their own rules

Apartment and office building parking lots in Korea often have gates, security offices, and their own rules.

🗣️ If you enter just to turn around

Do not enter a gated parking lot just to make a quick turnaround unless you are sure you can get out.

The exit gate may not open, and you may need to call the security office.

• ✅ Check before entering.
• ✅ Do not assume the exit gate will open automatically.
• ✅ If you are stuck, contact the security office.

🗣️ If you are visiting someone

Visitor cars often need to be registered.

Ask the person you are visiting to register your car before you arrive.

• ✅ Register your car in advance.‍
• ✅ Follow the gate or security office instructions.‍
• ✅ Park only in allowed areas.‍
• ✅ Leave your contact number if you park.

🗣️ Common features of apartment parking lots

Apartment parking lots can be crowded at night.
From the evening, more residents come home from work, and the spaces slowly fill up.
Late at night, it can be hard to find a spot.

You may see:

• Limited parking spaces
• Double parking
• Narrow lanes

✅ Follow the building rules.
✅ Do not block entrances, exits, or lanes.
✅ Avoid double parking unless it is clearly allowed.
✅ Move your car quickly if someone calls you.

Final note

In Korean apartment parking lots, building rules and resident manners are very important.
Do not assume every parking lot works the same way.

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5 Special parking zones

These zones look like normal spots, but parking there can mean big fines. Know what they look like.

1️⃣ EV charging zones (전기차 충전구역)

EV charging zones are protected by law in Korea.
Many apartment buildings, office buildings, and major facilities must have EV charging spaces.

These spaces are for charging only.

You may be fined, up to ₩200,000, if you:

• ❌ Non-EVs parking here
• ❌ Leaving your EV car after charging is done
• ❌ Using the spot for non-charging purposes
• ❌ Blocking with objects
• ❌ Damaging the line markings
• ❌ Damaging the charger

EV charging zones are not regular parking spaces.

[See EV driving guide for details]

2️⃣ Disabled parking zones (장애인전용주차구역)

⚠️ Korea takes this VERY seriously.

Reports and fines have surged in recent years — even brief stops are caught by CCTV and citizen reports (Safety Report app, 안전신문고).

Fines:

✅ You can park in a disabled zone ONLY if BOTH are true:

1. The car has an official disabled parking permit displayed
2. A person with a walking disability is actually in the car

👉 "I'll just stop for 1 minute" is NOT an exception. Even brief stops can trigger a fine.

3️⃣ Light Vehicle Zones (경차 전용)

For light vehicles (경차) — small Korean cars, typically with engines of 999cc or less.

These spaces are smaller than normal parking spots.
👉 Enforcement is usually loose, and regular cars sometimes park there too.

These spaces are intended for light vehicles (경차).

Enforcement is often limited, but if your vehicle is not a light vehicle, it is best to use a regular parking space whenever possible.

Using these spaces with a larger vehicle may be considered inconsiderate.

4️⃣ Resident-Priority Parking Zones (거주자우선)

⚠️ One of the easiest parking mistakes for visitors.

Many resident-priority parking spaces look like ordinary public parking spaces.

However, these spaces are often reserved for local residents during specific hours.

Always check the signs carefully before parking.

▶ How It Usually Works

1. Open to the public during certain hours
2. Switches to resident-priority parking during restricted hours
3. Residents may request the space when they return home

If your vehicle remains in the space during resident-priority hours, the typical process may include :

• ✅ Phone call or contact attempt
• ✅ Parking violation notice (ticket)
• ✅ Towing

Violations may result in parking fines, towing fees, and vehicle storage charges.

⚠️ These spaces may look like public parking, but many are only available to the public during specific hours.

Always check the posted signs before parking.

[Parking in Korea : The Rules]

5️⃣ Women-only / Family-friendly zones (여성전용 / 가족배려)

Run by local government ordinances, not national law.

Originally women-only, now shifting to "family-friendly" (가족배려) spots

Eligible users include:

• ✅ Pregnant women
• ✅ Adults with infants/young children
• ✅ Elderly or mobility-limited people
• ✅ Caregivers accompanying them

👉 Enforcement is softer — usually rule-based, not heavily fined. But it's still bad manners to use these spots if you don't qualify.

Quick comparison: How strict is enforcement?

👉 Bottom line: EV and disabled zones are the ones to really avoid. The others are more about good manners.

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