Pre-register vehicle info and payment to pass through exit gates without stopping — just like a highway Hi-Pass
QR code and online pre-payment supported, letting drivers settle fees from anywhere before they leave
Seoul's Yongsan-gu (district mayor Park Hee-young) launched a contactless smart parking payment system at the district's General Administrative Town annex parking garage (150 Noksapyeong-daero, below-ground floors 2–5) on Monday.
The new system combines contactless pre-payment and Hi-Pass-style automatic billing, allowing drivers to exit without stopping at a payment kiosk — the vehicle is recognized automatically as it passes through the gate.
Under the old setup, drivers had to locate an unmanned kiosk inside the building and wait in line to pay before leaving. During peak hours, congestion around the kiosks regularly caused queues that backed up to the exit and delayed departures.
The centerpiece of the new system is stop-free automatic payment. Drivers who register their vehicle information and a payment method in advance are charged automatically the moment they pass through the exit. "You can drive straight out of the parking garage without stopping, just like a highway Hi-Pass lane," a district official said.
Automatic discounts — covering compact cars, eco-friendly vehicles, veterans and welfare recipients — are applied by the system without any additional steps. Vehicles eligible for other discount categories must still use the exit kiosk.
Contactless payment options have also expanded for drivers who have not pre-registered. Scanning a QR code posted inside the district office building with a smartphone lets users pay their parking fee without navigating a complicated process. Beyond the existing physical kiosks, the system now fully supports payment via computer or smartphone, so drivers can settle their fee from anywhere before they exit.
The district expects the new system to significantly cut exit wait times and ease traffic flow around the General Administrative Town. It also anticipates gains in efficiency and accuracy in parking operations as the contactless approach reduces unnecessary in-person contact.
"We introduced the smart parking system to eliminate the parking inconvenience that residents and visitors to Yongsan-gu's General Administrative Town encounter the moment they arrive," district mayor Park said. "We hope that by providing a more convenient and faster parking experience we can raise satisfaction with our administrative services, and at the same time contribute to the convenience of visitors to the Itaewon area and help revitalize the local economy."
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