{"id":2201293,"date":"2023-06-06T19:05:50","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T10:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2201293"},"modified":"2023-06-06T19:05:50","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T10:05:50","slug":"to-be-seen-and-not-heard-why-there-are-so-many-no-kids-zones-in-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/06\/to-be-seen-and-not-heard-why-there-are-so-many-no-kids-zones-in-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"To be seen and not heard: Why there are so many \u2018no-kids zones\u2019 in South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"
In an environment where trendy cafes, restaurants, and even public libraries are increasingly declaring themselves \u201cchild-free zones,\u201d South Korean parents are feeling the squeeze.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhenever I go out with my son, I genuinely have no idea where to go,\u201d said South Korean lawmaker Yong Hye-in while cradling her 23-month-old son during her address at the National Assembly on May 4th, a day before Children\u2019s Day.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe must abolish these zones and instead, adopt first-kids zones that give priority to kids and parents,\u201d she pleaded.<\/span><\/p>\n Yong\u2019s speech at the National Assembly came amid growing criticism about the soaring number of child-free zones, which first emerged in 2014. Data from the Jeju Research Institute reported <\/span>542<\/span><\/a> such zones across the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs children are typically accompanied by their parents, no-kids zones not only constitute discrimination against children but also against the whole family unit,\u201d Lee Byoung-hoon, professor of sociology at Chung-Ang University, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In light of this, one might anticipate widespread support for the emotional plea by lawmaker Yong Hye-in. But the reception has been more <\/span>complex<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n BUSINESS RIGHTS<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cNo-kids zones are not discrimination but are legitimate rights of business owners,\u201d Lee Kyu-hyun, a father of two sons aged 4 and 6, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt upsets me as a parent, but I agree that no-kids cafes and restaurants are necessary because other customers deserve to enjoy peace and quiet,\u201d concurred Cho Youn-jin, a mother of two sons.<\/span><\/p>\n A 2023 <\/span>survey<\/span><\/a> by Hankook Research reflects a similar sentiment among a majority of South Koreans, including parents. The poll found that 73% of respondents believed that the establishment of no-kids zones is the right decision by business owners.<\/span><\/p>\n Proponents of no-kids zones also cite practical considerations, such as the prevention of accidents and property damage, and the right to be not disturbed by noisy children as grounds for justification.<\/span><\/p>\n These sentiments have had tangible impacts on policy proposals. An attempt by Jeju Island authorities to <\/span>ban no-kids zones<\/span><\/a> was met with significant opposition, resulting in the bill\u2019s suspension.<\/span><\/p>\n The proliferation of no-kids zones has also come as a response to a series of court rulings that held business owners <\/span>liable<\/span><\/a> for injuries to children that occurred within their establishments.<\/span><\/p>\n