Korea switches to right-side for pedestrian walkways

By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea began switching its pedestrian walkways to
the right-hand side from Thursday, ending nearly eight decades of Japanese
influence that date back to the peninsula's colonial years.
Korea switched to the left-side in 1921 while under Japanese colonial rule
(1910-1945). In the 1950s, the country reversed the rule for cars, switching
drivers to the right side of the road, but kept pedestrian traffic to the left.
Some 66 percent of the world's population live in countries where traffic is kept
to the right, according to data compiled in 2005.
Largely influenced by its Samurai warriors, who ruled Japanese society during the
Edo period (1603-1867), Japan keeps to the left side for both pedestrian and
vehicular traffic and is one of the few countries in which vehicles are
manufactured with left-hand drives. Left-side passage not only allowed
right-handed Samurai to draw their swords more easily in case of emergency but
also prevented two mutually approaching samurai from getting into a duel when the
sheaths of their swords collided.
Ahead of the full enforcement of the plan slated for July next year, major public
institutions including 467 train and 627 subway stations in South Korea have put
up signs recommending that passengers walk on the right-hand side.
Some of the busiest subway stations in Seoul, however, were exempted from the
plan to prevent mishaps.
"I was very confused this morning," said office worker Lee Ja-young, who traveled
in two subway lines that had two conflicting signs. "Chungmuro Station still had
'to the left' signs while Anguk Station had 'right-side' signs on the stairs."
"They are always changing rules and causing confusion. I don't see how keeping to
the right will be beneficial," she said.
Shin Myeong-cheol, a vice stationmaster at the central Seoul Station, said people
would "get used to the new system" soon.
"Many people unconsciously still walk on the left-side, but I'm sure people will
get used to the idea with time. I did not see that many people complaining," he
said.
The government cites research that shows keeping to the right could reduce up to
24 percent of passersby collisions and increase walking speed by up to 1.7
percent.
"We plan to fix all facilities to adhere to right-side passage during the
familiarization period (until July 2010)," an official at the transport ministry
said. "The plan will take time to get used to, but it will be an effort worth
making."
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)