DistantNews
Support us
🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

“I’m driving in Busan for the first time, sorry”: novice driver’s heartfelt message sparks an outpouring of support

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Documents & data Context piece
  • A driver visiting Busan attached a note asking other motorists for patience because it was their first time driving in the city.
  • The message went viral on social media and prompted an outpouring of support.
  • Busan’s steep terrain, complex roads and heavy truck traffic can make driving difficult for newcomers.

A simple apology on the back of a car has won support online. The driver, visiting Busan to see their in-laws, attached a note saying, “I’m driving in Busan for the first time, sorry.”

The driver, identified only as A, shared the story on social media on the 20th of last month. Concerned about navigating the city, A used the message to ask other motorists for understanding.

Busan is often considered difficult for first-time drivers because of its complicated road network. The city developed across mountainous terrain, producing steep roads, tunnels, bridges and routes that frequently follow the landscape. Its character as a port city also brings substantial heavy-truck traffic around Busan Port and on major arterial roads.

Busan’s 2025 traffic culture index stood at 80.65 points, up from 79.87 the previous year, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority. The score remained below the national average of 81.34.

I’m driving in Busan for the first time, sorry.

· A, the driverThe driver attached the message to the car while visiting Busan to see their in-laws.
About this summary

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog