Guide to Types of Public Parking in Korea

Driving in a new country means relearning all kinds of systems, one of those systems is parking. We’ve put together this short guide to the types of public parking in Korea to help you find your way.

About Korean Parking Facilities

Like most countries around the world, Korea offers a variety of public and private parking types. Some are managed by local governments, and others are managed by private companies or organizations. Let’s look at the different types of public parking:

City-Managed Parking Garages (공영주차장)

• Managed by: Local governments (시청 or 구청).
• Purpose: Provide affordable parking in busy districts.
• Payment:
  • Usually lower fees than private garages. Some offer discounted rates for residents.
  • Generally, do not accept international card payments or cash of any kind (some exceptions do apply)
• WARNING: City managed parking lots in many areas across Korea may not accept foreign cards or Korean cash.
• Parking Validation: None but sometimes there might be 1-2 hours free. (In some rare cases, a nearby business may offer validated parking at a nearby city-owned lot.)
• Systems: Can often be reserved or checked through city apps or websites (e.g., “서울시 공영주차장,” “경기도 공영주차장”).
• Example: Underground or outdoor lots near markets, hospitals, and subway stations.

City-Managed Managed On-Street Parking (노상주차장)

• Managed by: City governments or private companies contracted by the city.
• Structure: Designated parking spaces marked along roadsides, often in busy commercial or residential districts.
• Payment:
  • Some have attendants who issue tickets or collect fees.
  • Increasingly, payment is via mobile apps (e.g., 서울시 주차앱, regional parking apps) or kiosks.
  • Rates are usually lower than private lots but can be strictly time-limited.
  • Generally, do not accept international card payments or cash of any kind (some exceptions do apply)
• WARNING: City managed parking lots in many areas across Korea may not accept foreign cards or Korean cash.
• Parking Validation: None but sometimes there might be 1-2 hours free.

Privately Managed Public Parking (민영주차장)

• Managed by: Private companies but open to the general public.
• Purpose: Fill the gap where city lots are not available.
• Payment:
  • Usually higher fees, but often more modern (card readers, LPR cameras, QR-code systems).
  • More likely to accept international cards generally to do not accept any types of cash.
• Parking Validation: None from the lot itself, but they may have deals with nearby businesses. This will be a case by case issue.
• Systems: Apps like 파킹클라우드(Parking Cloud) or 모두의주차장 show available spaces.
• Example: Standalone parking towers near commercial areas or small paid lots near offices.

Mixed-Use or Commercial Building Parking (상가·빌딩 주차장)

• Managed by: Malls, department stores, hospitals, office buildings.
• Access: Primarily for customers/tenants, but often allow public use for a fee.
• Payment:
  • Sometimes free for a set time with purchase validation, then hourly charges.
  • May or may not accept international card payments, generally do not accept cash of any kind (some exceptions do apply).
• WARNING: Some privately managed parking lots in Korea may not accept foreign cards or Korean cash.
• Parking Validation: Possible from the businesses around the lot, but not near the building. The validated time may vary by business and parking lot.
• Example: AK Plaza parking, COEX Mall parking, hospitals in Seoul, large supermarkets (Homeplus, Emart, Lotte Mart).

Culture note: If you are parking in a smaller mixed use building they may only allow you to be there if you are visiting a business or person in the building. It’s again social rules to park in a smaller buildings parking if you don’t intend to patronage the building in some way.

Residential Parking (아파트·주택 주차장)

• Apartment Complexes: Often free or included in maintenance fees, but parking is tightly regulated. You need to be visiting someone in the apartment building or housing area.
• Payments: Generally free to people in the building and for those visiting the building, however, in some instances commercialize public parking may also exist and then it is paid.
• Detached Homes/Villas: Usually limited space, so residents may rent nearby public/private lots.
• Challenges for Foreigners: Unauthorized cars can be towed quickly; parking without a sticker/permit is not allowed.

Temporary & Event Parking (임시주차장)

• Use: Created during festivals, markets, or construction detours.
• Managed by: Either the city or event organizers.
• Payment:
  • Sometimes free and sometimes paid.
  • Sometimes via mobile apps or attendants.
  • More likely to accept cash payments.
• Example: Temporary lots during cherry blossom festivals or at stadium events.

How to Determine Type of Parking

These days we have the magic of smartphones in our pockets. You can use an AI service like ChatGPT or translation apps like Google Translate or Papago. You can also look on the parking facilities Naver Maps listing to learn more about the type and pricing.

How to Find Parking Options on Naver Maps

In order to find the most options for parking, search 주차장 on Naver Maps or Kakao Maps.