On-site command center to operate Oct. 30–Nov. 1; concentrated patrols and professional security personnel deployed in Seongsu-dong and around Wangsimni Station; crowd density risk assessed in advance with tiered safety measures; Yeonmujang-gil pedestrian safety zone to run additionally on Friday
Seoul's Seongdong-gu is stepping up crowd safety management in and around Seongsu-dong through Nov. 1 in preparation for Halloween-related surges.
This year's Halloween falls on Saturday, and large numbers of weekend visitors, pop-up store shoppers and patrons of commercial facilities are expected to converge on Seongsu-dong. Crowds could also gather suddenly at specific spots due to celebrity appearances or new store openings, officials said.
The district began preliminary surveillance on Friday and will operate an on-site command center for three days — from Friday through Sunday — for intensive crowd management.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the district held a local safety council meeting chaired by the deputy district mayor, where officials from the police, fire department and Seoul Metro reviewed the safety management plan and confirmed each agency's role and coordination framework.
A key feature of this year's response is the "Seongdong-type crowd density safety rating system," which has been in effect since August. When large gatherings are anticipated — due to pop-up store events or celebrity visits — the risk is assessed in advance and classified into one of three tiers: routine, attention or priority. The district plans to apply the system whenever a high-density situation is identified during the Halloween period, deploying on-site monitoring and safety personnel as needed.
On-site safety management will be divided across five zones — four in Seongsu-dong and one covering Wangsimni Station. Zone supervisors and field officers will patrol major streets and subway station entrances to monitor crowd conditions, while professional security personnel will be stationed on Yeonmujang-gil to manage pedestrian flow.
A joint on-site command center, staffed by the district office, police and fire department, will be set up at Seongsu-dong Shoe Theme Park. Real-time information on congestion gathered through field patrols and CCTV monitoring will be shared among agencies, and any signs of danger will trigger immediate action — separating pedestrian routes and dispersing crowds — under a "act first, report later" protocol.
Pedestrian safety measures will also be reinforced. The district's pedestrian safety zone on Yeonmujang-gil, normally operated only on weekends, will run an additional session on Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to manage vehicle access and ensure safe movement for pedestrians.
The district will also maintain a coordination framework with Seoul Metro to handle increased subway ridership and congestion at Seongsu Station, and an ambulance will be stationed on-site on Halloween day to respond to medical emergencies.
Ahead of the intensive management period, the district will conduct first-aid and emergency communication training for field staff on Tuesday, followed by a joint inspection with police and fire officials on Thursday. Officials will check for obstacles and safety equipment along major pedestrian routes in advance and address any hazards identified on-site to prevent accidents.
Seongdong-gu District Mayor Yoo Bo-hwa said large crowds can gather suddenly at specific locations in Seongsu-dong, making rapid situational awareness and response critical. "We will work closely with relevant agencies at every stage — from advance inspections to on-site response — to ensure that both residents and visitors can feel safe," she said.
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