The Seoul city government announced on the 17th that it will operate 1,024 closed-circuit (CC) TVs in 25 districts during the year-end and New Year period. If the CCTV detects crowding, it will notify the fire and police departments in case of safety concerns.
The city will implement crowd management measures during the Christmas period (Dec. 18-25) and the year-end and New Year period (Dec. 31-Jan. 1). Facilities and emergency response plans will be inspected at seven locations including Myeongdong, Itaewon, Seongsu-dong, Konkuk University, Hongdae, Gangnam Station, and Apgujeong Rodeo ahead of Christmas. On Christmas Day, real-time monitoring will be conducted on-site through the disaster safety communication network. If any unusual signs are detected, notifications will be made through mobile loudspeakers, sirens, and emergency text messages.
Three places, including Bosingak, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and Achasan Sunrise Spot, will be managed intensively during the year-end and New Year period. The city expects 100,000 people to gather at Bosingak for the New Year's Eve bell-ringing event on Dec. 31 this year and has arranged for city, district, police, and fire department personnel to be on emergency duty. A city official noted, "We will minimize the safety blind spots regardless of whether the event is officially hosted or not."