Dongdaemun-gu Launches Chuseok Night Patrol at Traditional Markets

Seoul's Dongdaemun-gu said it conducted a nighttime environmental patrol Tuesday around the Cheongnyangni traditional market and the areas near Jeegi-dong Station and Cheongnyangni Station ahead of the Chuseok holiday.

The patrol was organized to close the response gap that occurs after regular illegal-dumping enforcement shifts end and to improve street conditions before the holiday.

The patrol ran from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and involved about 40 participants, including Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choi Dong-min, staff from the sanitation administration division, illegal-dumping enforcement officers, environmental public officials and police officers from the Dongdaemun Police Station. The district focused on areas prone to illegal dumping, promoting proper waste disposal methods and citing violations.

The patrol began with a proper waste disposal campaign at the Cheongnyangni traditional market at 5 p.m. District Mayor Choi and staff distributed promotional materials to market vendors, explained correct waste disposal procedures and urged them to help maintain a clean market environment.

Following the campaign, officers joined Dongdaemun Police Station personnel to patrol the market area, conducting education and enforcement. They focused on violations such as failure to follow designated disposal rules in front of stores, mixed waste disposal and dumping waste on roads and sidewalks. Clear violations were subject to fines under relevant regulations.

After the traditional market patrol, the team moved to the areas around Jeegi-dong Station and Cheongnyangni Station to continue the nighttime patrol. Officers focused on subway entrances, station plazas and areas dense with restaurants and bars, cracking down on illegal dumping of everyday waste such as cigarette butts and beverage cups. Restaurants and bars were also advised to dispose of waste generated after closing hours properly in front of their establishments. The district said the concentrated patrol in the transit-oriented area was designed to address the high foot traffic there and improve the nighttime street environment.

Beyond nighttime patrols, Dongdaemun-gu is applying a range of measures that combine personnel, technology and prevention tools to tackle illegal dumping. This year, the district introduced AI-powered CCTV using an AI video analysis program in areas vulnerable to illegal dumping for the first time, broadcasting warning messages when dumping activity is detected. To reduce gaps in nighttime cleaning operations, the district also operates a "night cleaning supervisor" program staffed by environmental public officials, and has installed "conscience mirror" posters that show would-be dumpers their own reflection to deter the behavior.

"We conducted the nighttime patrol so that residents and market visitors can enjoy the holiday in a clean environment ahead of Chuseok," District Mayor Choi said. "We will continue to identify and apply a variety of methods suited to the characteristics and time of day of each location — not just enforcement — to create a cleaner street environment that residents can actually feel."