Gwangjin-gu to Request 'No-Stop' Subway Service if Halloween Crowds at Konkuk Exceed 5 per Sq. M.

Civilian groups, government agencies, police and fire services to mount joint response for four days from Oct. 29

Gwangjin-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho), will ask subway trains to pass through Konkuk University Station without stopping if crowd density around the station exceeds five people per square meter during Halloween. The district will monitor crowd density in real time using AI-powered CCTV systems and respond in stages.

Scenes from special safety preparations for Halloween at 'Konkuk University Food Street' in 2025. Provided by Gwangjin-gu.

Gwangjin-gu announced on October 21 that it will implement its “2026 Special Safety Management Plan for Crowds During Halloween.” The special safety period designated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government runs from October 23 to November 1. The district drew up the plan in light of the characteristics of the Konkuk University area and the expected increase in crowds from the “Moonlight Night Market,” which will be operating on a trial basis during the same period.

The district began preparations on October 6. On October 12, it held a meeting of its Safety Policy Working-Level Coordination Committee to review the plan with the Gwangjin Police Station, Gwangjin Fire Station, Seoul Metro, and other agencies. It repaired roads and lighting facilities and cracked down on illegally placed objects, street vendors, and illegal parking on side streets. It also conducted intensive inspections of fire-safety and evacuation facilities at seven venues permitted to allow dancing. All 25 intelligent CCTV cameras for detecting crowd density and all nine emergency bells and speakers were inspected as well.

From October 29 to November 1, when crowds are expected to be at their largest, the district will operate two situation rooms simultaneously every night: the Disaster and Safety Situation Room on the first floor of the district office and an on-site situation room at the outdoor performance venue at Cheongchun Tteurak near Konkuk University Station. District office staff, police, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, volunteer crime prevention patrol members, and professional safety personnel hired with the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s disaster management fund will be deployed at the site. They will conduct intensive patrols around subway entrances, narrow alleyways, venues permitted to allow dancing, and the area where the Moonlight Night Market is operating.

The CCTV control center will monitor crowd density around the clock using an AI-powered crowd detection system. Under a four-stage response system, it will deploy police and guide people to move in one direction. If density reaches the “serious” level of at least five people per square meter, the district will ask trains to pass through Konkuk University Station without stopping and discuss controlling station entrances with the relevant agencies. Announcements and emergency text alerts will also be used to disperse crowds.

District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho said, “We will carefully inspect everything from fire-safety and evacuation facilities at venues permitted to allow dancing to narrow alleyways and subway entrances.” He added, “We will work closely with relevant agencies and make active use of AI systems and on-site personnel to do our utmost to protect the safety of residents and visitors.”

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