A Seoul neighborhood is so crowded with tourists that the government is taking over

Seoul, South Korea CNN —

As the issue of overtourism sweeps cities and countries around the world, authorities in South Korea have announced stricter controls and measures to protect a historic traditional village district in downtown Seoul from throngs of tourists, who have flooded its streets and caused friction with local residents over the years.

Known for its picturesque and well-preserved traditional Korean houses called “hanok,” Bukchon Hanok Village is one of Seoul’s most popular tourist hot spots – attracting thousands of visitors every day.

But tourists greatly outnumber residents and complaints about noise, littering and privacy issues in the vicinity have escalated over the years.

Located in the Jongno district in downtown Seoul, Bukchon sits near other cultural landmarks like the Jongmyo royal ancestral shrine and the grand Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces.

In a bid to ease tensions and control crowds, district officials will start to restrict tourist access to the popular village from as early as October this year.

It will be designated the country’s first-ever “special management area” under South Korea’s Tourism Promotion Act.

Signs ask visitors to keep their voices down in the residential neighborhood.

Strict curfews for non-residents will be reinforced daily between 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Chartered buses carrying tourists will be restricted in several sections. The aim is to reduce traffic and make Bukchon “foot-centered,” officials said.

Three color-coded zones – red, orange and yellow – will also be designated to allow local authorities to control and monitor crowds in the most densely populated areas. Fines will also be imposed on violators, officials said.

Following public complaints,