Results of a Full Survey of 126 Subway Stations Managed by Korail... 70 Locations Have Only 2 Staff Working During Vulnerable Hours
At the entrance of the women's restroom at Sindang Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, where a female attendant was killed by a coworker who had been stalking her, citizens continue to visit to pay their respects. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@
At the entrance of the women's restroom at Sindang Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, where a female attendant was killed by a coworker who had been stalking her, citizens continue to visit to pay their respects. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] A comprehensive survey of 126 subway stations nationwide managed by Korea Railroad Corporation revealed that nearly 56% of these stations had only two staff members working during nighttime hours (after 7 PM).
According to the office of Assemblyman Kim Doo-kwan (Democratic Party, Yangsan-eul, Gyeongnam), a member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, 71 subway stations nationwide, including Apgujeong Rodeo Station, which serves an average of about 36,000 passengers daily, as well as Doksan Station and Namyeong Station, had only two employees working during nighttime hours after 7 PM. At these stations, one staff member must remain in the station office during late-night patrols or in case of incidents or accidents, structurally limiting the number of staff who can respond to emergencies to just one.
Other stations without two staff members working at night were not in much better condition. Thirty-one stations, including Beomgye Station, which serves an average of about 44,000 passengers daily, Ilsan Station, and Donong Station, had only three employees working during nighttime hours. Ultimately, out of the 126 stations managed by the Railroad Corporation, 103 stations?82%?had three or fewer staff members working at night.
The shortage of personnel at subway stations inevitably poses a threat to the safety of both station staff and the public using the subway. In fact, the victim of the Sindang Station murder case was tragically attacked while a single staff member was patrolling late at night.
Despite this reality, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 8th, as part of its public institution innovation plan, that it would redefine the functions of its affiliated public institutions, citing excessive bloat.
Assemblyman Kim criticized this, stating, "This incident is not about the patrol manual requiring two-person teams, but fundamentally about a lack of personnel. If the government reduces staff while increasing demands on the field, ultimately the ones who suffer will be the frontline employees and the public."
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