[Subway Crime] ③ Line 1 CCTV Completely Absent... Investigation and Punishment Also Limited

Not Subject to Video Recording of Subway Crimes under Railroad Safety Act
Need to Grant Subway Security Guards Authority Equivalent to Special Security Guards

As subway crimes surge, concerns are raised about the severe shortage of essential closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside train cars, which are crucial for crime prevention and investigation. There are also calls to expand subway security personnel and investigative staff and to grant sufficient authority to maintain order on-site.

47% of Train Cars Equipped with CCTV... None on Line 1

According to the 'Seoul Subway Train Car CCTV Status by Line' received by Justice Party lawmaker Jeong Woo-taek from Seoul Metro on the 22nd, out of a total of 3,613 train cars subject to installation, only 1,713 have CCTV installed. This accounts for just 47%, less than half of all train cars.

The CCTV installation rates varied widely by line. Line 1 had a 0% installation rate inside train cars. This means there is not a single train car equipped with CCTV, leaving the subway completely defenseless against crime. Lines 3 (31%), 4 (10%), 5 (23%), and 8 (5%) also had very few train cars with CCTV installed. Only Lines 2 and 7 had CCTV installed in nearly all train cars, with rates of 100% and 97%, respectively.

A Seoul Metro official stated, "Under the Railway Safety Act, installing CCTV inside train cars is not legally mandatory." While CCTV must be installed in the front (driver's cabin), it is not required inside the train cars themselves. Seoul Metro has announced plans to increase CCTV installation inside train cars in the future but has not disclosed specific implementation plans. The official added, "The exact budget and schedule for additional CCTV installation are currently fluid."

The Railway Safety Act mandates the installation and operation of video recording devices to record train operation status, understand traffic accidents, and prevent safety incidents. However, crime prevention related to passengers inside train cars is not included within the scope of video recording device installation. Accordingly, in February, Democratic Party lawmaker So Byung-hoon proposed a 'Railway Safety Act Amendment' to expand CCTV installation to strengthen security in railways and subways.

Another issue is the poor image quality of the CCTV cameras already installed inside subway train cars. About half of all installed CCTV devices are low-resolution. Currently, CCTV cameras on Lines 2 (356 cars) and 7 (489 cars) have less than 500,000 pixels. According to the police, CCTV cameras with less than 500,000 pixels make it difficult to properly recognize faces.

CCTV Installation Has Crime Prevention Effects... Calls for Personnel Expansion and Authority Delegation

Experts advise, "Just like the broken windows theory, crimes easily occur in neglected and poorly managed places, so security inside subway train cars must be tightened."

Heo Min-sook, a legislative researcher at the National Assembly, stated, "CCTV plays a decisive role not only in crime prevention but also in apprehending criminals." He added, "CCTV installation aligns with the public interest of crime prevention. It is expected to be very helpful in clearly distinguishing suspects, victims, witnesses, and helpers in cases of sexual crimes and disturbances caused by mentally ill individuals."

Lee Woong-hyuk, a professor in the Department of Police Science at Korea Cyber University, said, "The necessity of CCTV is absolute for identifying suspects and securing evidence," adding, "Since subways are public spaces, the crime prevention effect will be significant."

Experts also suggest strengthening police and security personnel patrols in subways and considering allowing subway security officers minimal security powers.

Professor Lee Woong-hyuk said, "If subway security officers are permitted to carry and use gas guns like special security guards working at banks and have the authority to detain suspects caught in the act, it would greatly help in the initial response to subway crimes."