В Сеуле с апреля запретят курить в радиусе 10 метров от любых выходов из метро. Штраф - 100 000 вон.


Smoking will be banned outside all subway station exits in Seoul starting April, with violators subject to fines of up to 100,000 won, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Sunday.

The city government said the new rule will take effect in April after an ordinance was revised.

According to the rule, smoking will not be permitted within a 10-meter radius of all subway station exits.

Sidewalks beside the city's 18 major roads that have more than eight lanes will also become smoke-free zones, including those along the Sejong-daero, Gangnam-daero and Yeongdong-daero.

Fines will differ from district to district _ 50,000 won in Seocho, Nowon and Guro with a penalty of 100,000 won in all other districts. "Each district office has the authority to impose fines, but we are encouraging them to set the amount at 100,000 won alike," a city official said.

The city government is also promoting a no-smoking campaign in riverside parks, which are not smoke-free zones but visitors with families often complain of second smoke there.

Last year, the city government cracked down on 808 cases of smoking in no-smoking zones such as Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza and stops along the routes of central bus lanes. The figure almost doubled from 462 a year before.