Starting in March 2025, parts of the picturesque neighborhood in central Seoul, known for its well-preserved traditional Korean houses, or hanok, will be designated as a "special management area" under the Tourism Promotion Act.
This decision came after residents had been grappling with the negative effects of overtourism. The influx of visitors has disrupted their daily lives, causing excessive noise and compromising their privacy.
The plan includes a complete ban on tourism in certain areas from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Such "red zones" include the densely populated residential street of Bukchon-ro 11-gil. Other areas, dubbed "orange zones," will remain open but with increased supervision with staff deployed to guide visitors and minimize noise.
![A sign asking tourists to be quiet is visible at Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu Seoul on July 5 2024 AJU PRESS Kim Dong-woo](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/07/05/20240705164212479151.jpg)
![A staff member is checking the time at Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu Seoul on July 5 2024 AJU PRESS Kim Dong-woo](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/07/05/20240705164737541486.jpg)
![A serene pause before the tourist rush at Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu Seoul on July 5 2024 AJU PRESS Kim Dong-woo](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/07/05/20240705164845596790.jpg)
![Visitors strolling through at Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu Seoul on July 5 2024 AJU PRESS Kim Dong-woo](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/07/05/20240705165113395731.jpg)
![Visitors take photos at Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu Seoul on July 5 2024 AJU PRESS Kim Dong-woo](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/07/05/20240705165401279876.jpg)
![Teeming with visitors at Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu Seoul on July 5 2024 AJU PRESS Kim Dong-woo](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/07/05/20240705165743807597.jpg)
![A visitor passes in front of a staff at Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu Seoul on July 5 2024 AJU PRESS Kim Dong-woo](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/07/05/20240705170005675195.jpg)
![Visitors are passing in front of an information sign at Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu Seoul on July 5 2024 AJU PRESS Kim Dong-woo](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/07/05/20240705170137279183.jpg)
![A visitor pose for a photo at Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu Seoul on July 5 2024 AJU PRESS Kim Dong-woo](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/07/05/20240705170238967142.jpg)