Drivers in Seoul whose vehicles' license plate numbers end in an even number are to leave their cars at home on May 30, this coming Thursday, and vice versa for those with cars whose license plates end in an odd number on May 31, Friday. The Ministry of Construction and Transportation said the traffic campaign is to reduce road congestion on the eve and on the day of the World Cup opening ceremony in the capital.

In addition, Seoul metropolitan government will not collect toll fess at Namsan tunnels number one and three during alternate day driving. Also subway and rail connections will operate extended hours until 2:00am on match days and eves in Seoul, Incheon and Suwon.

Those found violating the two-day traffic mandate will be fined as much as W50,000, more than US$40. Similar traffic regulations are to go into effect at other World Cup venue cities, including Incheon, Suwon, and Busan on the eve and on the day of matches during the month-long soccer tournament.

(Choi Won-seok, yuwhan29@chosun.com )