[Metro24] 'Safety'... The Most Important Administrative Virtue to Prioritize

Dongdaemun-gu Introduces Autonomous Driving Sensor Technology and Pedestrian Density Monitoring System from Gyeongdong Market Intersection to Cheongnyangni Station... Gwangjin-gu Implements Warning System for Sudden Crowds

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Young people lost their lives in the Itaewon tragedy. It is truly a heartbreaking incident.

Although the police investigation is currently underway, this tragedy could not have occurred without the failure of all administrative bodies involved, including Yongsan District Office, Yongsan Police Station, Yongsan Fire Station, as well as the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Metro.

The delayed reporting and response attitude of Yongsan District Office and the police, who failed to prevent a foreseeable accident at an event without a responsible organizer, will likely remain a significant stain in our administrative history.

A former high-ranking official of the Seoul Metropolitan Government recently told a reporter, "If it had been Mayor Ko Geon, he would have definitely visited the site a day before and presented countermeasures." This seems to be a reference to the thorough preparation attitude of former Mayor Ko Geon, known as the 'master of administration.'

This tragedy clearly appears to be the result of incompetence and unpreparedness of all parties involved. As revealed in the police investigation, the careless response and loopholes of the officials are coming to light.

An incident where hundreds of lives were lost on the road. It is unimaginable. The narrow perception of administrators who have so far only considered physical accidents such as building and road collapses as safety issues is also problematic.

The public also seems not to have sensed the danger of 'density,' which has become habitual during rush hour in the hellish subway. This is partly because the management of 'density,' expressed as population per square meter, has been lax.

After the incident, autonomous districts in Seoul such as Seocho-gu are implementing thorough safety measures for events with more than 500 attendees. Meanwhile, Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) is attracting attention by promoting the introduction of autonomous driving sensor technology and the establishment of a pedestrian density monitoring system from Gyeongdong Market Intersection to Cheongnyangni Station. Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) has also introduced a system that sounds an alarm when a sudden crowd gathers. These efforts seem aimed at preventing safety accidents in advance.

It is common to prepare countermeasures only after an incident occurs, but it is necessary to clearly recognize the importance of 'safety' this time. Creating and implementing detailed manuals is basic. Moreover, ordinary citizens must also change their awareness of safety.

What administrative virtue is more important than protecting the lives of the people?

Park Jong-il, Senior Reporter, Local Government Team, Social Affairs Department