Six high-congestion, high-crime stations targeted for intensive patrols; on-site safety inspections and public campaigns also underway. October designated 'Sex Crime and Unlicensed Vendor Crackdown Month' as data-driven prevention efforts continue.
Seoul Metro has stepped up on-site safety management over the Chuseok holiday period to ensure a safe subway experience for commuters and travelers heading home for the holiday.
The operator reinforced patrols at stations prone to congestion and crime while conducting facility safety inspections and public awareness campaigns to proactively address potential safety hazards during the holiday.
Drawing on data from last year's Chuseok holiday on congestion levels, disorderly conduct and criminal incidents, Seoul Metro identified the six most at-risk stations and deployed a total of 60 subway security officers on Tuesday and Wednesday. The officers focused on maintaining order and guiding passengers at high-traffic areas including platforms, concourses, stairways, escalators and major exits.
The six stations with the highest increases in congestion and incidents of disorder and crime compared with normal periods during last year's Chuseok holiday were Express Bus Terminal Station (Lines 3 and 7), Hyehwa Station, Hongik University Station, Seoul Station (Line 1) and Gyodae Station (Line 2).
Seoul Metro also conducted intensive inspections of fire and electrical safety at retail and rental facilities inside subway stations. Inspectors checked whether fire extinguishers were functioning properly, whether fire doors were blocked by stored items, and whether heating appliances were being used appropriately — all to identify fire hazards in advance and maintain a safe environment for users.
On Wednesday, Seoul Metro executives joined subway security officers at Sadang Station on Line 4 to personally inspect fire safety conditions at station shops and patrol the station and trains for disorderly conduct and criminal activity, including unlicensed vendors. The team then moved to Seoul Station, where large numbers of holiday travelers were concentrated, to run a subway safety campaign — distributing safety guidelines and souvenirs while urging the public to stay alert and engaged in keeping the subway safe.
Seoul Metro plans to continue its preventive efforts after the Chuseok holiday. The operator has designated October as "Sex Crime and Unlicensed Vendor Crackdown Month" and intends to concentrate subway security officers at stations with high rates of complaints and enforcement cases, based on complaint and crackdown data, to strengthen order maintenance and crime prevention.
"We are reinforcing patrols at busy stations and carefully checking the safety condition of facilities throughout the Chuseok holiday," said Ma Hae-geun, head of Seoul Metro's operations division. "We will continue our on-site safety management after the holiday so that citizens can use the subway with confidence."
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