Halloween crowd management stepped up at 28 locations nationwide... Government deploys on-site coordinators and 7,800 police officers

[Financial News] With crowds expected to gather in major entertainment districts on Halloween, the 31st, the government and police have launched nationwide safety management efforts. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) will focus on 28 areas nationwide, while police will deploy about 7,800 personnel over the weekend to manage crowd flows and prevent crime.
On the 20th, MOIS held a meeting with relevant agencies and designated October 23 to November 1 as the special measures period for Halloween crowd management. It designated 28 locations nationwide, including Itaewon and Hongdae, where crowds are expected to gather, as priority management areas. It also issued a “Caution” level crisis alert to strengthen each agency’s emergency response system. 
The government sent preliminary inspection teams to 12 areas where large crowds are expected to review safety management plans, the deployment of on-site safety personnel, and the condition of facility management. They also checked areas where bottlenecks could form, such as entrances and exits, stairs, and alleys. In Seoul, the areas inspected included Itaewon, Hongdae, Seongsu-dong, Kondae, Gangnam Station, Apgujeong, Myeong-dong, and Ikseon-dong. 
From the 30th through November 1, including Halloween itself, MOIS will dispatch section chief-level on-site situation coordinators to those 12 areas. Working with local governments and relevant agencies, including police and fire services, the coordinators will monitor conditions and support the response until crowds have dispersed safely. 
Police will deploy about 7,800 personnel nationwide from the 30th through November 1. In bottleneck areas such as narrow alleys, they plan to direct pedestrian traffic in one direction. If congestion reaches a dangerous level, they will restrict people from entering from the perimeter to disperse the crowds. Police will share real-time information with relevant agencies and swiftly send personnel to the scene when crowd-related reports come in. 
Police will step up crime prevention efforts alongside crowd management. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to concentrate 4,594 officers in five areas, including Itaewon, Hongdae, Seongsu, Myeong-dong, and Ikseon-dong, and conduct preventive patrols in major crowded areas to ease public anxiety over a series of recent knife rampages. It will also inspect cosplay props such as imitation firearms and knives, and police uniforms.
MOIS urged people to avoid crowded areas during peak congestion periods and follow instructions from on-site safety personnel. In narrow alleys or on stairs, people should keep their distance from those around them and leave crowded areas if movement slows or they feel pressure from the crowd. Dangerous situations can be reported by calling 112 or 119. 

[email protected] Yoon Hong-jip Reporter