Learn Korean: Mandatory Stop for Right Turns

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Korean Reading Practice

우회전 안 멈추면 바로 6만원…오늘부터 집중단속

Date: April 20, 2026

Introduction

This reading material discusses the recent crackdown on vehicles that fail to come to a complete stop when making right turns at intersections in South Korea. It outlines the legal requirements for right turns and the penalties for violations.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
우회전 uhoejeon right turn 우회전할 때는 반드시 정지해야 합니다.You must stop when making a right turn.
일시 정지 ilsi jeongji temporary stop 교차로에서 일시 정지하지 않으면 벌금이 부과됩니다.If you don't make a temporary stop at the intersection, you will be fined.
교차로 gyocharo intersection 교차로에서 우회전할 때는 주의해야 합니다.You need to be careful when making a right turn at an intersection.
정지선 jeongjiseon stop line 정지선 앞에서 차를 멈춰야 합니다.You must stop your car in front of the stop line.
횡단보도 hwengdanbodo crosswalk 횡단보도 앞에서도 반드시 정지해야 합니다.You must stop in front of the crosswalk as well.
범칙금 beomchilgeum fine 우회전 법규를 위반하면 6만 원의 범칙금이 부과됩니다.If you violate the right turn regulations, you will be fined 60,000 won.
벌점 beoljeom penalty points 우회전 법규 위반에는 10점의 벌점이 부과됩니다.Violating the right turn regulations will result in 10 penalty points.
경적 gyeongjeok horn 앞차가 정지하면 경적을 울리면 안 됩니다.You shouldn't honk your horn if the car in front of you is stopped.
마찰 machal conflict 우회전 법규 위반으로 운전자 간 마찰이 발생하고 있습니다.Violations of the right turn regulations are causing conflicts between drivers.
교통사고 gyotongsago traffic accident 우회전 사고가 많이 발생하고 있어 주의가 필요합니다.Caution is needed as there have been many right turn accidents.
사망 samang death 우회전 사고로 75명이 사망했습니다. 75 people died in right turn accidents.
부상 busang injury 우회전 사고로 1만 8897명이 다쳤습니다. 18,897 people were injured in right turn accidents.

Reading Text

경찰이 우회전 일시 정지 의무 위반 차량에 대해 두 달간 집중 단속에 나선다. 현행 도로교통법에 따르면 우회전하려는 운전자는 전방 차량 신호등이 빨간색일 경우 정지선, 횡단보도, 교차로 앞에서 반드시 일시 정지해야 한다. 이를 위반할 경우 승용차 기준 범칙금 6만원과 벌점 10점이 부과된다.

The police are launching a two-month intensive crackdown on vehicles that fail to make a temporary stop when making right turns. According to the current Road Traffic Act, drivers making a right turn must come to a temporary stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or in front of the intersection if the traffic light for the vehicles in front is red. Violating this rule will result in a fine of 60,000 won and 10 penalty points for passenger vehicles.

경찰은 일시 정지 없이 그대로 통과하거나, 정지 의무를 지키는 앞차에 경적을 울리는 등 법규 오인과 운전자 간 마찰 사례가 이어지고 있다고 설명했다. 지난해 우회전 교통사고는 1만 4650건 발생해 75명이 사망하고 1만 8897명이 다쳤다.

The police explained that there have been ongoing cases of drivers misunderstanding the regulations and causing conflicts with other drivers, such as passing through without making a temporary stop or honking their horn at the car in front that is obeying the stop requirement. Last year, there were 14,650 right turn accidents, resulting in 75 deaths and 18,897 injuries.

Grammar Points

-(으)면 if / when

-(으)면 expresses a conditional 'if/when'. Here '경우' (case/situation) combined with the verb stem creates a conditional meaning: 'if one violates this'.

📖 이를 위반할 경우 승용차 기준 범칙금 6만원과 벌점 10점이 부과된다. If this is violated, a fine of 60,000 won and 10 demerit points will be imposed based on a passenger car standard.

✏️ 비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요. If it rains, I will stay home.

-거나 or

'-거나' connects two actions or states meaning 'or', listing alternatives. It attaches to a verb stem.

📖 경찰은 일시 정지 없이 그대로 통과하거나, 정지 의무를 지키는 앞차에 경적을 울리는 등 법규 오인과 운전자 간 마찰 사례가 이어지고 있다고 설명했다. Police explained that cases of legal misunderstanding and driver conflicts continue, such as passing through without stopping or honking at the car in front that is obeying the stop obligation.

✏️ 주말에는 영화를 보거나 친구를 만나요. On weekends, I watch movies or meet friends.

Cultural Notes

Right of way rules and traffic laws are taken very seriously in South Korea, as road safety is a major concern due to the country's high population density and heavy traffic. The police regularly conduct targeted crackdowns on specific traffic violations to improve compliance and reduce accidents. This latest focus on right turn violations reflects the government's efforts to address a persistent safety issue on Korean roads.

Source: 네이버 뉴스 | Original Article
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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

Why is the police conducting a crackdown on right turn violations?

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Q2

What are the legal requirements for making a right turn at an intersection?

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Q3

What are the penalties for violating the right turn regulations?

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Q4

What kind of driver behaviors have been causing conflicts between drivers?

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Q5

How many right turn accidents occurred last year, and what were the resulting casualties?

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