Seoul Police deploy 4,594 officers for Halloween crowd control

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has designated October 23 to November 1 as a special safety management period to prevent crowd-related accidents during Halloween. A total of 4,594 personnel, including riot police, traffic officers, and detectives, will be deployed to high-density areas such as Itaewon, Hongdae, Seongsu, Myeongdong, and Ikseon-dong.

To manage pedestrian flow, police will implement one-way walking paths and may restrict entry to certain zones if congestion becomes severe. Traffic control will be intensified from October 30 to November 1, utilizing a three-stage system that ranges from managing illegal parking to completely blocking vehicle access in high-risk areas to ensure emergency vehicle paths remain clear.

In addition to crowd management, authorities are increasing patrols to prevent violent crimes and address public anxiety. Local government officials, including the Mayor of Seoul, have emphasized prioritizing citizen safety and coordinating with local businesses and emergency services to maintain a robust response system.