Mapo-gu Promises Safety for Crowds on Hongdae Red Road During Year-End and New Year Period

From December 24 to 31, on-site inspections and campaigns from 9 PM to 1 AM the next day
Joint patrols with related agencies such as police and fire departments, actively utilizing AI crowd density analysis system and disaster safety electronic display boards

Mapo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Park Gang-su) will conduct ‘Red Road Crowd Safety Management’ from December 24 to 31, 2024, in collaboration with related agencies such as the police and fire departments to ensure safety during the year-end and New Year period.

Based on the hourly crowd density data of the Hongdae Tourism Special Zone at the end of 2023, the district expects between 50,000 and 90,000 people to gather on Red Road this year and has formed a ‘Dedicated Team for Crowd Management’ in preparation for the large crowds.

On December 6, the safety management plan was established, and on December 10, practical consultations on year-end and New Year crowd safety management were completed with related agencies including the Mapo Police Station, Mapo Fire Station, and Korea Electric Power Corporation.

On December 17, a Safety Culture Movement Promotion Council was held with the heads of related agencies such as the Mapo Police Chief, Mapo Fire Chief, and the Western Education Support Office Director, along with leaders of private organizations, to discuss safety culture campaign measures.

During the special safety management period, the district plans to set up an on-site situation room at Red Road R4 and conduct phased crowd control and traffic regulation in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Mapo Police Station, Mapo Fire Station, and other related agencies.

Park Kang-su, mayor of Mapo District, who went out to inspect safety on Hongdae Red Road, is pointing at a motorcycle parked on the street and having a conversation with officials.

In addition, the district will actively utilize the ‘AI Crowd Density Analysis System’ installed at nine crowded areas to analyze dangerous situations in real time and provide warning messages and voice guidance to help pedestrians easily recognize any risks.

Furthermore, disaster text message electronic boards have been installed at five major points on Red Road to allow easy access to crowd behavior guidelines.

To respond on-site, a total of 560 safety management personnel will be deployed over eight days, including 240 district office officials, 240 private personnel, and 80 professional safety managers.

Safety management staff will conduct on-site inspections and safety campaigns every night from 9 PM to 1 AM the following day for eight days and operate the on-site situation room.

Additionally, safety personnel will be concentrated around Exit 9 of Hongdae Ipgu Station, the club street, and the Red Road sections R2 to R5, with focused crackdowns on illegal parking and unauthorized storage that pose risks to pedestrian traffic.

Moreover, safety fences will be installed in highly congested areas such as Exit 9 of Hongdae Ipgu Station and Red Road R3 and R5 (club street) to guide right-side walking and reduce pedestrian congestion to maintain order.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, stated, “Safety is the top priority of Mapo-gu. As many people are expected to visit Red Road during the year-end and New Year period, we will do our best to ensure that both residents and visitors can spend their time safely and enjoyably.”