When I Placed a Sensor on a Small Hole in the Club Restroom... Safety Inspection Accompanied Coverage

Number of Hongdae Clubs Doubles After Lifting Operating Hour Restrictions
112 Reports Increase by Nearly 70%
Mapo Police Station and Others Conduct Safety Inspections
Emphasis on Cooperation Against Drug Crimes

On the 18th at 2 PM, the police and related agencies conducted a joint safety consultation at a club near Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Seoul. A Mapo Police Station official is inspecting the women's restroom toilet inside the club with an infrared camera.
Photo by Oh Gyumin

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] “If left like this, it’s easy for short circuits or electric leakage to cause fires. Fifty percent of fire accidents are caused by electrical fires.”

At 2 p.m. on the 18th, at a club near Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Seoul, a Mapo Fire Station official said this while looking at scattered pieces of tissue behind the LED screen installed on the ceiling. The club owner explained, “Customers often throw (tissues) from the second floor, so we clean them frequently,” but added, “(The screen) also falls from the railing, so cleaning is not easy.”

On the 18th at 2 p.m., the police and related agencies conducted a joint safety consultation at a club near Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Seoul. A Mapo-gu Office official is explaining fire extinguisher inspection to the club owner.
Photo by Oh Gyumin

At the same time, two police officers from the Women and Youth Division of the Mapo Police Station were inspecting below the toilets in the men’s and women’s restrooms inside the club. They checked for screws or small holes on the partition walls and took out prepared equipment. This equipment can detect infrared light emitted from camera lenses to determine whether a hidden camera is present. Areas emitting infrared light were also checked using an electromagnetic wave detector. As a result, no illegal filming cameras were found. The officers advised the owner, “It is safer to move trash bins that could hide cameras to the side,” explaining ways to prevent illegal filming.

Since the COVID-19 social distancing measures were lifted in April, the number of clubs in Hongdae has increased significantly. Along with the clubs, the entire Hongdae commercial district has become a 'nighttime hotspot,' leading to an increase in 112 emergency calls. In response, the police have launched joint safety inspections of clubs with related agencies to prevent crimes.

According to the Mapo Police Station, as of the 19th, 52 establishments are registered as ‘dance-permitted venues.’ This is more than double the 23 registered in March. This increase is attributed to the lifting of operating hour restrictions. Although not all ‘dance-permitted venues’ are clubs, under the Mapo District Office ordinance, clubs must be registered as ‘dance-permitted venues’ to operate. To do so, clubs must submit six documents, including the application for ‘dance-permitted venue,’ to the district office chief.

112 emergency calls have also increased. From January to March, the Hongik Police Substation, responsible for security near Hongdae, received 7,050 112 calls. In contrast, from May to July, the number rose to 11,837, an increase of about 68% around April. A police official explained that “the entire Hongdae commercial district, including clubs, has become more active,” as the reason for the increase.

With the growing need for crime prevention, the police, in cooperation with related agencies, have begun inspecting clubs, key facilities in the Hongdae commercial district. From the 10th to the 19th, 15 establishments larger than 300㎡ or with many 112 calls were selected for comprehensive safety inspections covering crime and other club safety aspects. The Mapo Police Station, Mapo District Office, Mapo Fire Station, and Korea Electrical Safety Corporation participated in this inspection. The inspection areas included crime, hygiene, fire safety, and electrical safety.

On the afternoon of the 18th at 2 PM, the police and related agencies conducted a joint safety consultation at a club near Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Behind the LED screen hanging from the ceiling of a club, there are tissues placed.
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

At the two clubs inspected that day, no illegal filming cameras were found, and overall safety standards were being followed. However, improvements were needed regarding battery replacement for portable emergency lights required in case of fire and the installation of restroom partitions.

Regarding the recent increase in drug-related crimes, the police emphasized cooperation with clubs. Specifically, the police requested club owners to ▲actively cooperate when police officers respond to drug-related incidents ▲immediately report and provide information to the police if they become aware of suspected drug crimes.

Owners who received safety ‘consultations’ expressed willingness to cooperate actively. Club owner Lee Jaehyuk (39) said, “We mainly call 112 for fights between intoxicated customers, lost belongings, or when heavily intoxicated customers fall asleep.”

Yoon Youngkwon, Inspector of the 112 Security Comprehensive Situation Room 112 Management Team at Mapo Police Station, stated, “Based on the analysis of this inspection’s results, we plan to send a diagnosis of common vulnerabilities to all Hongdae club owners,” adding, “Until the end of August, related departments will conduct joint patrols every Friday night, and through strengthened cooperation with clubs, we will take the lead in eradicating drug crimes.”