Gangneung City Strengthens Crackdown on Illegal RV Parking in Public Lots

According to data from the CarChart AI platform by Kaizu Data Lab, covering January 2016 to June 2026, the South Korean camper and caravan market has sharply declined after peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the post-pandemic period (2023–2025), average annual registrations of campers and caravans fell by 64.7% compared to the peak period (2020–2022) and by 19.9% compared to pre-pandemic levels. During 2020–2022, registrations reached 18,933 units (average 6,311 per year), up 127% from 2016–2019 (11,118 units, average 2,780 per year). After the pandemic, demand plummeted: only 6,682 units were registered in 2023–2025 (average 2,227 per year). The number of campsites grew from 2,367 in 2019 to 4,082 in September 2024, but new campsite registrations dropped 33% (from 547 in 2022 to 367 in 2025), and about 60 campsites close annually due to oversupply.

South Korea's camper and caravan market is in sharp decline due to affordable Kia PBV electric vehicles. Industry data shows prices for most campers have halved, and new motorhome sales dropped 75% in three years. The PV5 model, with standard electrical equipment and air conditioning for 2,000 won per night, costs about 25 million won, compared to 70–80 million won for traditional motorhomes. Camper user numbers fell 13.9% year-on-year, and the market shrank 11.8%.

New registrations of campers and travel trailers in South Korea dropped sharply in 2023. According to CarChart AI data, only 1,361 units are expected in 2025, an 81.4% decline from the 2021 peak. The market, which boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022, average 6,311 units per year), entered a downturn from 2023. In 2025, 543 travel trailers (down 87.2% from 2021) and 818 campers (down 73.2%) were registered. Campers first outnumbered trailers in 2022. The average purchase price of a camper in 2022 was about 7.35 million won. The campsite market is also struggling: new openings fell from 547 in 2022 to 367 in 2025, with about 60 closures annually. Electric campers based on Kia PV5 and Hyundai ST1 platforms are expected in 2026.

According to CarChart, South Korea saw 7,300 new camper and caravan registrations in 2021, with a market value of 347.2 billion won. By 2025, registrations dropped to 1,361 units (down 81.4%), and market value fell to 76.4 billion won (down 78%). In the first half of 2026, only 397 units were registered (123 caravans and 274 campers). Caravans were hit hardest, with registrations down 87.2% from 2021.

In Pohang, South Korea, dozens of campers and caravans occupy free public parking along the Hyeongsan River and coast, reducing spaces for regular cars. Authorities struggle to enforce rules, but a law amendment effective August 28 allows towing and fines up to 1 million won.

South Korean cities turn unregulated camping into a tourism asset. Examples: free RV parking in Namwon, Pyeonghwanuri camping in Paju, and paid overnight parking by Lawson in Japan.