Preventing Crimes in Underground Passages with Classical Music

Yongsan-gu Operates 24-Hour Classical Music Broadcast in Underground Passage... Part of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Measures to Enhance Psychological Stability and Reduce Aggressive Impulses

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) has created a pedestrian environment with classical music playing in four underground passageways within the district.

The classical music broadcast service is one of the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) measures. It is known that playing classical music in places with crime risk factors provides psychological stability and reduces aggressive impulses, thereby suppressing criminal behavior.

Last month, the district installed classical music equipment in underground passageways frequently used by local residents and vulnerable from a crime prevention perspective.

There are four underground passageways where classical music is played: Itaewon Underground Passage (Itaewon-dong 687), Northern Side of Jamsugyo Underground Passage (Seobinggo 181-1), Entrance of Namsan No.3 Tunnel Underground Passage (Yongsan 2-ga dong 5-1400), and Ichon Underground Passage (Ichon-ro 343-20).

The district started 24-hour music broadcast service from the 8th. Users can walk through the underground passages accompanied by classical melodies such as Beethoven's symphonies, Chopin waltzes, and Schubert serenades.

In addition, the district is making multifaceted efforts to build infrastructure for violence prevention, including ▲ operating Safe Return Scouts ▲ creating safe restrooms free from illegal filming concerns ▲ improving road environments for women’s safe routes home ▲ operating women’s safe delivery lockers.

Seong Jang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “We will strive to change the perception of underground passageways from dark and scary places to safe and convenient ones,” adding, “Through classical music, we aim to achieve both crime prevention effects and a renewal of the underground passageways’ image.”