Smoking, drinking to be banned at Cheonggyecheon

Smoking or drinking along Cheonggyecheon, a popular stream in downtown Seoul, could result in fines of up to 100,000 won ($70), starting this year. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday its plans to designate the entire 8.12-kilometer stretch of the stream as a no-smoking, no-drinking zone by the end of 2026, backed by legal authority to issue fines. The city's tougher stance comes after a string of reports of visitors drinking, smoking and bathing in the stream. Under current ad