Seoul police deploy armored vehicles and 7,800 officers for Halloween

Large crowds gathered in Itaewon, Seoul, for Halloween celebrations on October 31, marking the first time the holiday has fallen on a weekend since the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush.

To manage the influx of people and prevent similar tragedies, the South Korean government implemented a special safety measure period. Police deployed 7,800 personnel across 28 major crowded areas, including Itaewon, Hongdae, and Seongsu-dong. Security measures included full vehicle restrictions on Itaewon-ro, the deployment of police special units, and the presence of armored vehicles to prepare for potential crimes or terrorism.

Alongside the festivities, many citizens visited the “10.29 Memory and Safety Road” near the Hamilton Hotel to mourn the victims of the previous tragedy. The memorial site was filled with flowers and messages left by those remembering the incident.