00:006 million people visited historic Bukhon Hanok in 2023, a village with a permanent population
00:10of just over 6,000 people.
00:13But from November, tourists will no longer have full access to this popular spot.
00:17A curfew will limit visitors between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to give locals a respite from
00:23the crowds.
00:24Many people come and try to push open the door by grabbing the doorknob, or make various
00:30noises under the window, take pictures, or make various disturbances.
00:35It's quite stressful.
00:38People come for just a day to enjoy themselves, and the noise from parties is extremely loud.
00:43There's a lot of trash in the neighborhood, so I've had to clean in front of my house
00:46multiple times.
00:48Narrow alleyways and traditional Korean houses give the village a distinct charm, but residents
00:53have been leaving in droves, with a 27 percent drop in the population over the past decade.
01:02We're trying to make tourists come in a balanced way, and not cause major inconvenience to
01:06the residents.
01:07This is the first time we're implementing such a policy in South Korea, so we'll work
01:12closely with residents to make adjustments if necessary.
01:15But locals are divided, and questions remain about enforcement of the $110 fine for breaking
01:21the curfew.
01:22People would want to visit here if tourists are fined for violating the curfew.
01:26They'll leave with a bad impression of South Korea.
01:28This would negatively impact South Korean products as well.
01:31Authorities relaxed bans on traditional homes offering accommodation in 2020, leading to
01:37a surge in corporate-run homestays, which are adding to local concerns about commercialization
01:43of the centuries-old village.
01:48This was once a residential area, but now it's under construction, and soon a company
01:52operated Hanok experience facility, a Hanok hotel, will open here.
01:56Along this alley, several more of these kinds of places are continuously popping up, and
02:01some are already in operation.
02:04A curfew trial period kicks off in November, with an official launch in March, so rowdy
02:10tourists are officially on notice.
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