Councilor Jung Daeun of Gwangju City: "Feel Safe Using Public Restrooms"

Mandatory Installation of Safety Facilities at 1,012 Locations

Jung Daeun, Gwangju City Councilor.

The Gwangju City Council has taken steps to establish an institutional framework to prevent safety accidents in public restrooms.

The "Gwangju City Public Restroom Support Ordinance Amendment," proposed by Councilor Jung Daeun (Democratic Party of Korea, Buk-gu 2), passed the plenary session on June 16. The amendment mandates the installation of safety facilities such as emergency bells in public restrooms and stipulates explicit measures for the prevention of crimes and safety accidents.

According to data from the National Police Agency, there were 19,286 crimes committed in public restrooms nationwide over the past five years (2018?2022), raising concerns about public restroom safety.

The "2022 Sexual Violence Safety Survey" released by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family found that public restrooms were the third most common place where women felt fear of sexual violence.

Accordingly, the amendment requires the mayor, in consultation with district heads, to establish measures to prevent crimes and safety accidents in public restrooms, and stipulates that administrative and financial support can be provided to relevant institutions and organizations.

As of last year, 1,012 public restrooms were designated in Gwangju. By district: Gwangsan-gu had 242, Buk-gu 230, Seo-gu 198, Dong-gu 173, and Nam-gu 169.

Councilor Jung stated, "I hope this ordinance amendment will help create safer restroom environments free from crime," adding, "I will continue to make institutional efforts to protect the safety of citizens in their daily lives."