Crowd-management specialists increased by 91 to 241 over last year, boosting expertise and reducing overnight staffing gaps; operation runs Oct. 23 through Nov. 1 at 3 a.m., with joint command post relocated to ease pedestrian and business disruption
Mapo-gu launched a preemptive crowd safety operation in the Hongdae area Friday ahead of Halloween, when large crowds are expected to descend on the district.
The operation runs through 3 a.m. on Nov. 1, covering the Halloween weekend.
Over the nine-day period, 64 civil servants, 241 safety personnel and 20 volunteer disaster-prevention corps members will be deployed on the ground. Compared with last year, the number of civil servants has been reduced by 201 while safety specialists have been increased by 91 — a shift designed to raise the professional standard of crowd management and reduce operational gaps caused by late-night shifts.
Civil servants will work until 3 a.m. each day throughout the safety management period, and safety personnel will maintain the same hours on weekends. The volunteer corps will be active until midnight each night.
A joint on-site command post has been set up at the Creative Center inside Hongik Culture Park. The location was moved from its previous position in the plaza in front of Sangsang Madang to reduce disruption to pedestrian traffic and nearby businesses.
On the first day of the operation, Friday, Mapo-gu District Mayor Yoo Dong-kyun visited the Hongdae tourism special zone to assess conditions on the ground and oversee safety preparations.
He began at the command post, reviewing the safety management plan and designated high-priority zones, before heading into the Hongdae area itself. He walked through the club district and inspected sites where an AI crowd-density analysis system and emergency text display boards have been installed, checking pedestrian flow and personnel deployment at key congestion points.
He particularly urged staff to pay close attention to pedestrian safety in narrow alleyways and sections where sidewalks meet roadways, where crowd density poses the greatest risk.
Beyond the field operation, the district plans to monitor conditions around the clock through its integrated CCTV control center and disaster safety operations room, sharing real-time footage and flagging hazards with relevant departments to ensure visitors can enjoy the Hongdae area and return home safely.
"The larger the crowd, the more important it is to manage even the smallest risk factors with care," District Mayor Yoo said. "We will do our utmost through field-centered safety management and close coordination among relevant agencies so that both residents and visitors can come to Hongdae with peace of mind."
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