Seoul Subway Nighttime 112 Calls Fall 35.1%

Reduction in Nighttime Crime Reports in Seoul Subways

The Seoul National Police Agency Subway Police Unit has reported a significant decrease in the number of 112 emergency calls received inside subway train cars during nighttime hours. According to the latest data, from February to August this year, the number of such reports dropped by 35.1% compared to the same period last year. This decline is attributed to increased police presence on specific subway routes.

Breaking down the statistics, the total number of 112 reports received by the Subway Police Unit over the six-month period fell by 17.6%, from 5,958 cases in the previous year to 4,906 cases this year. Specifically, nighttime reports between 10 p.m. and midnight decreased by 28.4%, from 588 to 421 cases. Reports made inside train cars during these hours saw an even steeper drop, falling by 35.1%, from 202 to 131 cases.

The Subway Police Unit explained that the reduction is due to intensified patrols on high-traffic subway lines during nighttime hours since September of last year. These efforts targeted areas where public safety concerns were most pressing, including:

• Seoul Subway Line 5 from Jongno 3-ga to Gongdeok
• Line 9 from Goto to Noryangjin
• Line 2 from Sadang to Gyeodae and from Sadang to Sillim

Over the past year, from September last year to August this year, the unit implemented a total of 965 safety measures. These included assisting intoxicated individuals on their way home and preventing theft incidents.

Real-Life Examples of Patrol Success

In May of this year, police at Seoul National University of Education Station on Line 2 intervened when two intoxicated men in their 60s were shouting and swearing inside a train car. The officers escorted them off the train and ensured they returned home safely.

Another incident occurred in September of last year when police patrolling a subway train traveling from Wangsimni Station to Sindang Station on Line 2 discovered a passenger who had fallen asleep and lost their bag and mobile phone. The officers prevented a potential theft targeting an intoxicated individual, often referred to as “support snatching.”

Arrests and Ongoing Investigations

From September last year to August this year, the Subway Police Unit arrested 33 theft suspects and detained 15 of them. Notable cases include:

• On the 1st of last month, Mr. A, a 28-year-old man, was apprehended and detained for stealing a wallet from a female passenger’s bag. Mr. A had been released from prison in January of this year and was still within his recidivism period. He attempted to use a stolen credit card but failed when the transaction was declined.
• On the 7th of the same month, Mr. B, a 39-year-old foreigner, was detained for stealing wallets from seven passengers. It was later discovered that he committed theft in June, re-entered the country in August, and stole another wallet. Investigators found that he used a credit card from the stolen wallet to spend a total of 820,000 Korean won.

These incidents highlight the ongoing efforts of the Subway Police Unit to ensure the safety of passengers and reduce crime in the city's underground transportation system. The combination of proactive patrols, swift interventions, and successful arrests demonstrates a clear commitment to maintaining security in one of Seoul’s busiest public spaces.