"Why the World Should Learn from Korea: Why Foreigners Are Impressed by Riding the Subway"

Renewed Attention Amid Fear of 'Pushing Crimes' in New York
Exported to Malaysia, China, Brazil, and More

Korea's subway screen doors are emerging as a global model for transportation safety. After the installation of screen doors, platforms that used to see an average of 37 deaths per year have virtually become spaces with no fatal accidents, prompting major cities around the world, including New York, to benchmark the Korean model.

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99% Installation Rate, Zero Deaths or Injuries for Three Consecutive Years...Reduction in Noise and Electricity Costs

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on July 12, the number of subway accident fatalities is clearly divided before and after the installation of screen doors. From 2001 to 2009, before their installation, the annual average number of deaths reached 37.1. However, from 2010 to 2024, this number dropped sharply to 0.4 per year, and there were no fatal accidents last year.

Currently, Seoul's subway system has installed screen doors at a total of 345 stations, including Line 9 and the Ui-Sinseol Line, with the installation rate reaching 99% as of 2026.

The introduction of screen doors in Korea was driven by a tragic incident. In June 2003, a homeless person pushed a passenger onto the tracks at Hoehyeon Station on Line 4 in the metropolitan area, resulting in the passenger's death, which led to strong demands for safety facilities. In 2004, screen doors were first installed at Munhwajeondang and Geumnamno 4-ga Stations on Gwangju Metro Line 1, and afterwards, they were rapidly adopted across city and metropolitan railways nationwide.

In Seoul, the first screen door was installed at Sadang Station at the end of 2005, and by the end of 2009, all 262 subway stations managed by the city had completed installation—one year ahead of the original 2010 goal.

By physically separating the platform and the tracks, the risk of passengers falling or being pushed onto the tracks has been greatly reduced. Notably, since 2023, Seoul has maintained a record of zero deaths or injuries for three consecutive years caused by jumping onto the tracks, falls, or contact with trains.

There are also significant additional benefits beyond safety. After the installation of screen doors, perceived noise levels on platforms decreased by about 7.9% (from 78.3dB to 72.1dB), and daily air conditioning electricity costs dropped by approximately 30%, from 600 million won to around 425 million won. Over three months in the summer, this results in cost savings of roughly 16.7 billion won.

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Fear of 'Pushing Crimes' on New York Subways...Korean Screen Doors in the Spotlight Again

As so-called "subway pushing" crimes—where passengers are pushed onto the tracks—continue in New York's subway system, Korea's screen door system is once again drawing attention. Local media have reported, "Following the recent pushing incidents in the New York subway, Korea's screen doors are becoming a hot topic in overseas transportation systems."

In New York, pushing crimes take advantage of the absence of screen doors, and passengers must remain vigilant. In 2024, at a subway station in the Chelsea area of Manhattan, a man in his 20s pushed a man in his 40s onto the tracks. Although the victim survived, he suffered serious injuries, including a skull fracture. In January 2022, a man in his 60s pushed an Asian woman onto the tracks at a subway station near Times Square, resulting in her death.

On social networking services (SNS), photos of New York subway passengers standing close to the platform wall while waiting for trains have also become a topic of discussion.

Korea's screen door system is now being exported to countries such as Malaysia, China, and Brazil, establishing itself as a standard model for international transportation safety.

TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel information site, has highly praised the safety and convenience of the Korean subway, introducing "subway rides" as one of the must-try experiences for tourists visiting Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.