Seoul Station Plaza is now an alcohol-free zone, with fines from March

If you plan to crack open a beer outside Seoul Station, think twice. As of 9 November 2026, the plaza is an official alcohol-free zone.

What happened?

The districts of Jung and Yongsan, which share responsibility for the plaza, made the designation official on Monday. Banners near Exit 2 read that the plaza is alcohol-free from 9 November. Yellow signs on the ground say "alcohol-free zone" and "fine of 50,000 won for drinking".

The zone covers the plaza and the outdoor spaces around the station building. That is about 20,000 square metres: 13,283 in Jung District and 6,570 in Yongsan District.

Authorities say daytime drinking and loud singing and shouting had long made travellers feel uneasy and got in the way of foot traffic.

What was it like on day one?

Quiet. Around 7:50 pm, travellers with suitcases and commuters hurried across the plaza. Police at the Seoul Station police box said no drinking-related disturbance reports had come in that day.

Many people had no idea about the new rule. A woman in her 30s said she hadn't known and hadn't seen the banners. A man in his 60s who sells clothes on the plaza said the same. Two foreign visitors, apparently in their 20s, were quietly sharing two cans of beer. Earlier in the morning, an empty bottle of makgeolli (Korean rice wine) sat in front of a man resting near a tent that had served free breakfast.

What's next?

Nobody will be fined yet. Until 28 February 2027, the zone runs on a publicity and guidance period, with signs, banners and on-site outreach. A campaign with the two districts, the Korea Health Promotion Institute, Korail (the national railway operator) and police began at 3 pm at Exit 1.

From 1 March 2027, anyone caught drinking there faces a 50,000 won fine.

How did we get here?

In February 2024, an amendment to the National Health Promotion Act let local governments designate alcohol-free zones and fine drinkers up to 100,000 won. In September 2026, the two districts said they would designate the Seoul Station plaza after complaints about public drinking and disorder.