Learn Korean: Drivers Rush Hour Chaos at Yangjae IC

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Korean Reading Practice

양재IC, 5분새 3대 끼어들기 적발... 운전자들 “...

Date: April 08, 2026

Introduction

This reading material discusses the issue of illegal lane changes and tailgating during rush hour traffic in Seoul. It describes a crackdown by the police on these traffic violations near the Yangjaecheon IC (Interchange) and the reactions of the drivers who were caught.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
끼어들기 kkieeodeulgi cutting in/lane change 운전자들이 끼어들기를 많이 했어요.
꼬리물기 kkorimulgi tailgating 차량들이 꼬리물기를 하다 단속되었습니다.
단속 dansok crackdown 경찰은 이번 단속에서 많은 위반차량을 적발했습니다.
위반 wiban violation 운전자들이 교통규칙을 위반했습니다.
적발 jeokbal to catch/apprehend 경찰은 5분 만에 3대의 차량을 적발했습니다.
고속화도로 gosokhwadoro expressway 차량들이 고속화도로 진입로에 들어서지 못했습니다.
진입로 jinipro entrance ramp 운전자들이 고속화도로 진입로에 들어서지 못해 문제가 생겼습니다.
차선 변경 chaseon byeongyeong lane change 차선 변경이 불가능해서 운전자가 끼어들기를 했습니다.
실선 silseon solid line 운전자가 실선을 무시하고 끼어들기를 했습니다.
호루라기 horuragi whistle 경찰관이 호루라기를 불며 단속을 진행했습니다.

Reading Text

오전 8시, 서울 서초구 양재IC 부근 8차선 도로는 출근길 차량으로 꽉 막혀 있었다. 제때 한남대교 방향 고속화도로 진입로에 들어서지 못한 차가 차선 변경이 불가능한 실선을 무시하고 끼어들기를 하다 교통경찰에게 적발됐다.

At 8 a.m., the 8-lane road near the Yangjaecheon IC in Seocho-gu, Seoul was completely congested with commuter traffic. A car that failed to enter the expressway entrance ramp towards Hannam Bridge ignored the solid line where lane changes were prohibited and cut in, only to be caught by the traffic police.

5분 뒤 끼어들기를 하다 걸린 또 다른 운전자는 "사고가 나 길이 막히는 바람에 어쩔 수 없었다"며 하소연하듯 말했다.

Five minutes later, another driver who was caught cutting in complained, saying "I had no choice because an accident had blocked the road."

이날 아침 양재IC 부근에선 끼어들기·꼬리물기 등 교통 규칙 위반 차량을 멈춰 세우는 경찰관의 호루라기 소리가 쉴 새 없이 울렸다.

That morning, the sound of police whistles constantly blew as officers stopped vehicles that had violated traffic rules such as cutting in and tailgating near the Yangjaecheon IC.

오전 8시부터 1시간 동안 진행된 출근길 불법 끼어들기·꼬리물기 단속에 적발된 차량은 17대였다. 위반 차량은 버스, 택시, 화물차 등 다양했다.

During the 1-hour crackdown on illegal lane changes and tailgating during the morning commute starting at 8 a.m., a total of 17 vehicles were caught. The violators included buses, taxis, and cargo trucks.

이번 단속에는 교통경찰과 기동대, 도시고속순찰대 등이 동원됐다. 단속반은 운전자들의 안전한 출퇴근을 위해 이번 특별 단속을 실시했다고 밝혔다.

For this crackdown, traffic police, mobile units, and urban expressway patrol teams were mobilized. The enforcement team stated that they conducted this special operation to ensure safe commuting for drivers.

경찰 관계자는 "출근길 교통 정체가 심각한 만큼 이번 단속은 필요했다"며 "앞으로도 이런 단속을 자주 실시할 계획"이라고 말했다.

A police official said, "As the morning commute traffic congestion is severe, this crackdown was necessary," and added, "We plan to conduct such enforcement operations frequently going forward."

Grammar Points

-는 바람에 because of (unexpected result)

Attaches to a verb stem to express an unexpected or undesirable cause leading to a negative result. Means 'because of (something happening unexpectedly).'

📖 5분 뒤 끼어들기를 하다 걸린 또 다른 운전자는 "사고가 나 길이 막히는 바람에 어쩔 수 없었다"며 하소연하듯 말했다. Another driver caught cutting in 5 minutes later complained, saying, 'I had no choice because the road was blocked due to an accident.'

✏️ 버스가 갑자기 고장 나는 바람에 회사에 늦었어요. Because the bus suddenly broke down, I was late for work.

-(으)ㄴ/는 만큼 as much as / to the extent

Attaches to an adjective or verb to indicate that the degree or extent of one situation justifies or matches another. Means 'to the extent that' or 'since (it is so).'

📖 경찰 관계자는 "출근길 교통 정체가 심각한 만큼 이번 단속은 필요했다"며 "앞으로도 이런 단속을 자주 실시할 계획"이라고 말했다. A police official said, 'Since the morning commute traffic congestion is serious, this crackdown was necessary,' and added, 'We plan to carry out such crackdowns frequently in the future.'

✏️ 시험이 중요한 만큼 열심히 준비해야 해요. Since the exam is important, you need to prepare hard.

Cultural Notes

Traffic congestion and unsafe driving behaviors are major issues in many large cities in Korea, especially during rush hour commute times. The police frequently conduct crackdowns on violations like illegal lane changes and tailgating to try to improve traffic safety and flow. These enforcement actions are often met with frustration from drivers who feel rushed or pressured due to the heavy traffic.

Source: 네이버 뉴스 | Original Article
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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

Why were many drivers caught cutting in or tailgating during the morning commute near the Yangjaecheon IC?

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Q2

What were the reactions of the drivers who were caught violating traffic rules?

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Q3

How long did the crackdown operation last, and how many vehicles were caught in total?

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Q4

What types of vehicles were involved in the traffic violations?

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Q5

What was the purpose of this special enforcement operation, and what are the plans for the future?

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