All neon signs and outdoor lights were turned off in Seoul's major business and entertainment districts in the early hours of Tuesday as government restrictions on nighttime lighting were enforced nationwide to cope with rising oil prices.
Most building managers and owners of bars and other entertainment establishments actively took part in the government campaign, but some
business owners who reluctantly cooperated complained about the regulations.
After midnight, lights were turned off at buildings on the main financial street in Yeouido and outdoor decorative lighting on apartment buildings as well as the Han River bridges were turned off in the capital. Not a single light bulb was left on in department and discount stores show windows after closing hours on Monday.
Karaoke establishments that sell alcoholic beverages, night clubs and bars turned off their outdoor lighting at 2 a.m. as required by
the government. Those failing to adhere to the regulations could face up to 3 million won (US$2,683) in fines.
The central government estimates that about 162 billion won a year can be saved through the policy.
However, workers and owners of entertainment establishments in Seoul are grumbling over the policy after their local government began
clamping down on offenders early Tuesday by mobilizing about 6,500 public officials.
About 13,000 of 92,000 nationwide establishments set by the government as targets of the nighttime lighting restrictions are
located in Seoul.
"These days we suffer difficulties because business here in Bukchang-dong isn't thriving as it was before. About half of our customers appear today compared to before." said Kim Seong-hun, a
34-year-old worker of an entertainment establishment in Seoul's Bukchang-dong office area.
Kim Yong-ho, the 42-year-old owner of a karaoke bar in southern Seoul, said he fully understands the government's good intentions for
the campaign. "But it is unfair that the government demands that only pubs turn off the lights of their signboards. Moreover, we only use
fluorescent lamps that consume very little electricity," he complained.