Oh Se-hoon inspects public safety network at CCTV control center, expands rollout of ‘Donghaeng Safety Bell’

[Financial News] Oh Se-hoon, mayor of Seoul, personally inspected the safety response system that ensures citizens’ emergency calls in situations such as crimes lead to police dispatch. Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to strengthen the public safety net by improving the functions of the portable ‘Donghaeng Safety Bell,’ which is linked to CCTV control centers, and expanding its distribution. Seoul Metropolitan Government said Mayor Oh visited the CCTV control center in Yangcheon-gu on the afternoon of the 26th and reviewed the entire process, from receiving reports via the Donghaeng Safety Bell to responding at the scene.
At the site, Mayor Oh activated a Donghaeng Safety Bell in a demonstration and checked response procedures, including the control center’s receipt of a report, locating the person who made it, and requesting police dispatch. The aim was to check whether the emergency reporting system was working properly amid growing public anxiety over recent violent crimes and stalking.
Mayor Oh said, “With public anxiety growing amid a recent spate of heinous crimes, we will make citizens’ safety our top priority in our response,” adding, “We will continue to inspect operations on the ground to ensure the Seoul Safety Bell fully serves as a dependable safety net protecting citizens in emergencies, and steadily expand its distribution, including by identifying those eligible for support. We will work even harder to make Seoul a city where everyone can go about their daily lives with peace of mind.”
Starting today, Seoul Metropolitan Government will distribute the 2026 model of the Donghaeng Safety Bell to applicants on a rolling basis. A revamped version of the existing ‘Ansim Help Me,’ it is designed as a phone grip and a key ring to make it easier to carry. With the connected model, pressing the button in an emergency sounds an alarm and sends a report to the control center. The center checks the situation using CCTV cameras near the person who made the report and requests police dispatch if necessary. Real-time location information is also sent by text message to up to five people registered as guardians.
There have also been cases that led to an actual police response. In Seongdong-gu last July, the control center received a report via a Donghaeng Safety Bell and tried to call the person who made it. When only the perpetrator’s voice could be heard, the center requested police dispatch. Officers who arrived at the scene took the perpetrator along on a voluntary basis and imposed a no-contact measure.
From 2024 through the end of September this year, Seoul Metropolitan Government distributed a total of 630,000 units across three types of ‘Seoul Safety Bell,’ including the Donghaeng Safety Bell, Small Business Safety Bell and Elementary School Safety Bell. It plans to expand the groups eligible for support and increase the cumulative number distributed to 1.3 million by 2030.
Applications for the Donghaeng Safety Bell can be made through the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s All-in-One Birth and Parenting Information Portal website. Single-person households, adolescents, women and other groups vulnerable to safety risks can receive it free of charge.

[email protected] Seong Chorong Reporter