Seoul deploys 3,271 people to manage Halloween crowds; Itaewon-ro to be fully closed to traffic

[Financial News] On Halloween, the 31st, Seoul Metropolitan Government will deploy 3,271 safety personnel to areas where large crowds are expected, including Itaewon and Hongdae. It plans to monitor crowding using AI-powered crowd-detection CCTV cameras and drones, and create more pedestrian space by fully closing Itaewon-ro to traffic and managing access to subway stations.
Seoul Metropolitan Government has designated the period from the 23rd through November 1 as the special Halloween measures period, and the 30th through November 1, when particularly large crowds are expected, as the intensive management period. Taking into account historical crowd data, terrain, public safety, and emergency rescue needs, it selected 14 areas in 10 autonomous districts for management. 
Of the 14 areas designated for management, eight—including Itaewon Tourist District, Hongdae Tourist District, Ikseon-dong, Myeongdong Street, Seongsu-dong Cafe Street, Konkuk University Food Street, Gangnam Station, and Apgujeong Rodeo Street—were designated as priority management areas. The city plans to operate an on-site joint situation room involving Seoul Metropolitan Government, autonomous district governments, police and fire services, and field situation managers from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) to share information and coordinate responses. 
A total of 3,271 people will be deployed, including 2,011 public-sector personnel and 1,200 private-sector safety management personnel. Seoul Metropolitan Government will use 361 crowd-detection CCTV cameras installed in the designated areas and check congestion in major areas using Seoul real-time urban data based on signals from telecom base stations. Drones will be flown over Hongdae, Seongsu-dong, and Gangnam Station to monitor bottleneck areas that are difficult to see from the ground. 
When crowd density reaches around five to six people per square meter, alerts will automatically be sent to situation rooms at Seoul Metropolitan Government, the autonomous districts, and the police and fire services. The relevant agencies will use the alerts as a basis for safety measures, including dispersing crowds. Seoul Metropolitan Government also provided 244 million won from its disaster management fund to seven autonomous districts to strengthen their on-site response capabilities. 
On the 31st, Seoul Metropolitan Government will completely prohibit vehicle traffic on Itaewon-ro and use one lane of Hongdae Club Street as pedestrian space. One-way traffic guide lines and dividers will be installed in narrow alleys, including Itaewon World Food Culture Street. The city also plans to manage queueing areas around popular establishments, including clubs, so that lines do not obstruct pedestrian traffic. 
If crowds build up at major subway stations such as Itaewon Station, Hongik University Station, Seongsu Station, and Konkuk University Station, entrances may be controlled or trains may pass through without stopping. The city is also considering extending subway operations to accommodate late-night crowds heading home. If signs of danger emerge, emergency disaster text messages will be sent. If concerns about an accident grow or harm occurs, the city plans to activate the Seoul Metropolitan Government Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to carry out emergency rescue operations and maintain public order.
[email protected] Yoon Hong-jip Reporter