2.3 Sexual Assaults Daily at Railway Facilities… Which Station Has the Most Crimes?

It has been revealed that an average of 2.3 sexual assault crimes occurred daily at railway facilities over the past five and a half years, shocking many people. According to data from the Railway Special Judicial Police of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, unsettling incidents continue to occur daily inside trains and within station premises. It has come to light that anyone can become a target of crime, whether walking while looking at their smartphone screen at an exit on the way home from work or passing through a crowded platform during a holiday. In fact, the total number of railway crimes reported each year is also showing a sharp upward trend, indicating that blind spots in safety are expanding. Let’s take a closer look at why crime is so persistent in public transportation spaces that countless citizens visit every day. From here, we will carefully examine the current state of railway safety and the security situation that we must all be aware of.

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2.3 Sexual Assaults Daily at Railway Facilities… Which Station Has the Most Crimes?

1. Railway Crimes Surge 42% in 4 Years

In recent years, large and small crimes occurring within South Korea’s railway facilities have been growing at an alarming rate. An analysis of data obtained by an office of a member of the National Assembly’s Committee on Administration and Security shows that the total number of railway crimes has surged by more than 42 percent. The number of crimes, which stood at around 1,200 cases in 2021, has followed a steep upward curve every year. Through 2022 and 2023, thousands of cases were reported annually, and last year, the figure comfortably exceeded 3,000. The prevailing view is that this increasing trend is not merely a temporary phenomenon but the result of accumulated structural issues. Concerns are growing that the interiors of massive means of transportation used by millions of people daily are becoming greenhouses for criminals. Looking at the increasing crime statistics each year, one can feel how loose the safety net of our society has become. The figure, which was 1,230 cases in 2021, jumped sharply to around 1,890 cases in 2022 and has continued to record a steady upward leveling. Even when comparing the statistics for 2024 and last year, there is no sign of a decrease; instead, records are being broken. More than 1,400 cases have already occurred in the first half of this year alone, making it highly likely that records will be broken again this year. The methods by which perpetrators exploit blind spots amidst the crowds during rush hour are becoming increasingly bold. Such endlessly rising crime rates have reached a level that can no longer be managed by individual caution alone.

2. Sexual Assaults Occurring at a Rate of 2.3 Cases Per Day

Among all types of crimes occurring at railway facilities, sexual assault crimes undoubtedly account for the largest proportion. The fact that nearly 30 percent of all crimes are concentrated solely on sexual offenses adds to the severity of the situation. Over the past five and a half years, the number of sexual assault incidents occurring inside trains or within station premises reached a staggering 4,700 cases. Converted into daily figures, this means that an average of more than two sexual crimes occurred consistently every day. Such crimes, which happen in crowded trains or transfer corridors, leave victims with indelible mental scars. Everyday spaces that many people pass by without a second thought are transforming into places of fear for some. Following sexual assault, violent incidents and thefts recorded high rankings, respectively, proving the inadequacy of railway security. Violent incidents accounted for more than 20 percent of the total, and theft also occupied a significant proportion, requiring attention. In addition, violations of the Railway Safety Act, such as unauthorized crossing of tracks or causing disturbances on platforms, continue to occur without cease. However, the fact that sexual crimes occupy the largest proportion makes public transportation users even more anxious. Due to the nature of having to be in close proximity to an unspecified number of people in confined spaces, an environment is created where one is easily exposed to the temptation of crime. Therefore, extraordinary measures to fundamentally block such sexual crimes are urgently needed.

3. The Station with the Most Crimes

Public interest is focused on which of the numerous railway stations nationwide has the highest frequency of crime. According to the data, Busan Station recorded the highest number of crime incidents, earning it a notorious reputation. Following it, Seoul Station and Suwon Station, which have an enormous number of daily users, ranked in the top tier. Additionally, Dongdaegu Station and Yongsan Station were also cited as key points requiring urgent security reinforcement due to the large number of reported incidents and accidents. These areas share the common characteristics of having an explosively high flow of people and complex passageways connecting in all directions. It is analyzed that the characteristic of being a place where countless strangers pass by is the main cause of the high crime rate. Since these hub stations play a central role in South Korea’s railway network, they should be core zones for security management. However, in reality, small and large incidents break out almost daily, revealing the limits of security capabilities. Large terminal-type stations like Busan Station and Seoul Station have large areas and an excessive number of entrances and exits. As a result, it is relatively easy for criminals to commit crimes and escape, making them easy targets. Since hundreds of thousands of people visit these places daily, if a thorough prevention system is not established, the burden of the damage falls entirely on the citizens. This is precisely why a special alert status must be established centered on these major stations in the future.

4. Areas with Concentrated Sexual Crimes

When looking specifically at sexual crimes among all railway crimes, a different ranking emerges. Suwon Station was identified as the place where sexual assault incidents occurred most frequently among railway stations nationwide. Suwon Station is a representative location where congestion is extreme even on normal days, as it is a transfer station where numerous lines intersect. Following it, Sindorim Station recorded a high number of sexual crime incidents, continuing its notorious reputation as a transfer station. Hongik University Station, Wangsimni Station, and Busan Station also made the list as dangerous areas where sexual crimes occur frequently. These places share the commonality of having a high usage rate among young people and being so crowded during rush hour that there is no room to stand. It is very difficult to eradicate crime methods that induce physical contact or exploit gaps amidst complex crowds. Perpetrators attempt intentional contact by taking advantage of the congestion, making it difficult for victims to notice, and then flee. In particular, places like Sindorim Station or Hongik University Station are packed with crowds where there is no room to stand around weekends or weekday evenings. In such environments, it is difficult even to be aware of one’s surroundings, and in many cases, immediate response is impossible even if a victim is assaulted. Since sexual crimes are serious offenses that completely destroy a victim’s daily life, these concentrated areas must be managed strictly. Eliminating blind spots and operating a constant surveillance system is the only solution.

5. Security Measures Discussed by Experts

To stop the endlessly increasing railway crimes, political circles and experts are calling for effective, extraordinary measures. First, there is a strong voice advocating for a significant strengthening of patrol activities centered on hub stations where users are concentrated. It is urgent to install additional CCTV equipment and improve image quality to completely eliminate blind spots. Additionally, the prevailing opinion is that the personnel of the Railway Special Judicial Police, who handle security directly on the ground, should be reallocated efficiently. It is necessary to adopt a strategy of placing personnel in a customized manner according to crime-vulnerable time slots and locations, rather than simply increasing headcount. To maintain the golden time for crime prevention, the coordination system between security guards inside stations and the police must also become more tightly knit. Regular inspections of safety belts and emergency communication devices are essential so that citizens can use public transportation without anxiety. While it is important to quickly apprehend perpetrators when an incident occurs, creating an environment where crimes cannot even be attempted is the core. Considerations should also be given to increasing lighting levels inside stations and installing warning signs in high-crime areas to raise awareness. A safe public transportation environment is a precious asset created together by the government, operating agencies, and users. Comprehensive security reinforcement must be implemented so that no more unfortunate victims occur.

6. Our Tasks for a Safe Railway

News about the increase in crimes at railway facilities is a bitter warning that blatantly reveals the dark side of our society. Social consensus is needed so that ordinary office workers and students commuting daily no longer tremble in fear of crime. The government and relevant agencies must move beyond superficial measures and prepare practical solutions that work immediately on the ground. Individuals themselves must also adopt an attitude of checking their surroundings one more time in crowded spaces and reporting immediately if any suspicious movements are detected. We must continuously watch how the railway security system will be innovated and transformed into a safe space. Only when we all pay attention and raise our voices will a railway environment where we can travel with peace of mind be completed. Safety is the top priority that cannot be exchanged for any other value and is a fundamental right that cannot be compromised. Railways and stations, where countless people come and go every day, should be places of communication and movement, not places of fear. If thorough security maintenance is supported even amidst the congestion that repeats every holiday and weekend, crime can be sufficiently prevented. Taking this statistical release as an opportunity, relevant agencies must take responsibility and begin a comprehensive security inspection. Citizens must also move beyond indifference, pay continuous attention to railway safety, and actively voice their concerns. We look forward to a future where we together create a safe and comfortable railway environment.

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