On a weekend morning in Seoul, it is no longer unusual to see groups of runners filling riverside paths, parks and neighborhood tracks.
But as running becomes more visible in public spaces, so do complaints about noise, crowding and runners brushing past pedestrians.
Running has gained popularity in Korea, with the share of regular sports participants who named running, including jogging and marathons, as one of their main activities rising to 7.7 percent in 2025 from 4.8 percent a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
As more people take to public paths, parks and tracks, runners are being asked to pay closer attention to those around them.
In addition to stretching properly, staying hydrated and avoiding overtraining, those running outdoors should be careful not to create risks or inconvenience for pedestrians, cyclists and other park occupants.
Following are a few rules that regional governments and park officials recommend for safe and considerate outdoor running.
Seoul launched a campaign in 2024 to promote safe and considerate running, with 25 civilian running crews taking part.
The seven rules of “running etiquette” are: run in small groups or in single file on narrow paths; be mindful of your own safety and that of others when taking photos; watch out for pedestrians, cyclists and other users; pick up your own garbage; avoid excessive noise; warm up properly before running; and stay hydrated.
The rules were created by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korea Sports Safety Foundation, based on common complaints about running on public paths.
Some runners have been criticized for clapping, shouting or telling pedestrians to get out of the way on sidewalks. There have also been complaints about runners crowding paths and blocking other users.
Authorities advise runners to wear appropriate clothing and avoid bicycle-only roads. Taking off one’s shirt in public is not strictly illegal, as the law punishes exposure of intimate body parts such as the genitals or buttocks, but it is often frowned upon and can lead to complaints.
Running on bicycle-only roads is illegal and can result in fines under the Road Traffic Act. Some paths are open to both pedestrians and bicycles, and runners may use those paths, but they should watch for cyclists.
Runners should check signs to see what kind of path they are using. Signs for bicycle-only roads show a bicycle, while signs for shared-use paths show both a pedestrian and a bicycle.
As complaints about runners have increased, officials at some major parks and public sports facilities have introduced their own rules.
Yeouido Park, which has walking paths, running areas, trees, bushes and exercise facilities, bans taking off one’s top, clapping, shouting, running in large groups and telling others to get out of the way.
Seocho-gu has banned running groups of five or more people at Banpo Sports Complex, while Songpa-gu recommends avoiding runs in groups of three or more at Songpa Naru Park around Seokchon Lake.
Most of these rules are nonbinding and rely on voluntary compliance by runners. Still, runners are advised to follow them for the safety and convenience of others and themselves. While violations may not lead to punishment in most cases, runners could be approached by park staff or public officials and have their workout interrupted.
