10 Pilot Child Protection Zones Designated and Operated in Songpa-gu

Creating a Safe Environment to Protect Children from Crime... Cooperation Among Police, Parents, and Volunteer Patrols... Crime Prevention Activities Including Patrols... Expansion to 100 Children's Parks This Year... CCTV Maintenance and Replacement to Strengthen Protection System

Amid rising social anxiety due to recent cases of stranger-related crimes, Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) has pilot-designated 10 elementary schools as ‘Child Protection Zones’ to safeguard children vulnerable to crime.

Unlike Children’s Safety Zones (school zones), which aim to prevent traffic accidents, ‘Child Protection Zones’ were introduced in 2008 to prevent crimes targeting children. According to the Child Welfare Act, areas within 500 meters around ▲elementary schools ▲urban parks ▲kindergartens ▲daycare centers are designated, and crime prevention activities such as patrols and CCTV installation are carried out.

Except for urban parks, the head of each facility applies for the designation of a Child Protection Zone, and the mayor or local government head decides after an investigation. During the investigation, factors such as the annual occurrence of child crimes, the number of children using the area, and the risk of crime in surrounding areas are examined.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “Songpa-gu has 42 elementary schools and about 31,000 elementary students, the largest number of children among Seoul’s autonomous districts. Starting with this pilot designation of 10 schools, we plan to expand the designation to all 42 elementary schools and parks frequently used by children, up to 100 locations this year, after reviewing areas for improvement.”

The 10 elementary schools initially designated as Child Protection Zones include Garak Elementary, Pungnap Elementary, and Macheon Elementary. The selection reflected the number of children and locations where children might move without guardians, based on regional living areas among the applicant schools.

At the designated sites, signs indicating Child Protection Zones will be installed, and solar-powered LED signs with high nighttime visibility will be placed in dark areas or places where crime prevention is necessary.

Additionally, the protection system using security CCTVs will be strengthened in these zones. Considering that an average of about 100 CCTVs are currently installed in Child Protection Zones, the district will focus on repairing and replacing old devices to improve performance. By 2026, approximately 1,200 security CCTVs will be additionally installed at around 400 locations within the district.

Earlier, on the 29th of last month, the district held a business agreement ceremony with the Songpa Police Station for the designation of Child Protection Zones. The two institutions will actively cooperate to conduct field investigations, zone designations, and patrols by volunteer crime prevention squads and child guardians.

Kim Dong-kwon, Chief of the Seoul Songpa Police Station, stated, “Taking this opportunity to designate Child Protection Zones, we will work hand in hand with Songpa-gu to create an environment where all children and parents can live with peace of mind.”

On the 6th, Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, plans to visit the pilot-designated area around Garak Elementary School to inspect the installation of signs, the operation status of CCTVs, and discuss opinions on the designation of Child Protection Zones with parents and school officials.