No Need for Navigation – New Street Names to Come
(September 7, 2011)

Addresses to include street names and building numbers rather than lot numbers from July 29
Gyeonggi Province completes installation of street signs and building numbers

– Street-name addresses have become official since the national announcement on July 29^th. The image shows Onjeong-ro 108beon-gil in Suwon City with its new sign. (GNews Plus)

The street-name address system was introduced nationally on July 29^th, and the Gyeonggi Provincial Government is working to promote awareness of the new system among its residents.

The street-name address system replaces the former lot number-based address system. Based on street names and building numbers, it is a general system that has been adopted by most OECD member nations except Japan and Korea.

This address system makes first visits much easier, and reduces social and economic spending on distribution and other fields. The new system will also contribute to general safety and the protection of lives and assets as it reduces emergency reaction time. According to a study by the Korea Institute of Public Administration, this new policy will save KRW 3.4 trillion a year on average.

The central government made the new street name address system official on July 29^th, and Gyeonggi Province has been swift in its adaptation.

By the end of 2010, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government had designated 24,000 streets and installed 48,000 street signs as well as 789,000 building number signs. By the end of June 2011, it had sent notices to 762,000 residents informing them of the new address system. The new system was being promoted as early as April this year via media broadcasts, billboards, and large discount stores.

On the day the new address system became official, a small booklet about the new system and various souvenirs were handed out to drivers at the Uiwang toll gate to let the public know about the newly adopted system.

A Gyeonggi Province official said, “The new system is our new resource. It will boost related businesses and also create new markets. By adopting an internationally approved system, we have elevated Korea’s stance and made it easier for foreign visitors and businesses to set up here. We expect a positive influence on tourism as well.”

Gyeonggi Province will phase in the new address system in public documents by the end of the year and support the private and public sectors by providing a street address database.

– GNews Plus News | Son Rak-hun kuni1202@naver.com

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