Korea's Escalator Etiquette Debate | South Korea News

South Korea News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Sep 10, 2026 · 2m

In Korea, the long-standing escalator etiquette of standing right, walking left is under official review after a government forum sparked debate over safety vs. speed. A near-even split in public opinion shows people still value the “ppalli-ppalli” rush culture, but experts argue social norms—not rules—drive behavior. Psychologists explain that people follow the crowd to avoid being seen as rude, even when laws don’t enforce it. The Ministry is now exploring how to shift mindsets toward safer, more considerate escalator use without forcing change, aiming to balance efficiency with collective…