Jung-gu to switch public parking monthly pass allocation to lottery system

Seoul's Jung-gu will overhaul the way it allocates monthly parking passes at public lots, the district announced Wednesday, replacing a long-standing fixed-use system that has left thousands of residents on waiting lists. Under the new approach, passes will be reassigned periodically through a lottery open to all applicants, giving more residents a fair shot at securing a spot.

The district currently operates 1,668 monthly pass spaces across 20 public off-street parking lots, with a waiting list of roughly 5,250 people. Under the existing system, once a pass holder is assigned a space, they retain priority to keep it indefinitely — meaning a vacancy only opens when a current holder gives up their spot.

Jung-gu plans to change that by periodically reopening applications to existing pass holders, those already on the waiting list, and new applicants alike, then selecting users through a lottery draw.

Before rolling out the new system, the district will hold a public information session on Sept. 16 to gather residents' input. Feedback from the session will be reviewed to finalize the detailed operating plan for the monthly pass program.

Meanwhile, last year Jung-gu installed 32 thermal imaging cameras across 12 public parking lots in the district to reduce fire risks from electric vehicle charging facilities and strengthen safety.

"We want to improve the allocation system so that more residents can use public parking lots fairly," District Mayor Kim Gil-sung said. "We will look at the inconveniences residents have had to put up with in their daily lives and work to address them from their perspective."