South Korea to enhance school zone safety following rise in child accidents

South Korean authorities are intensifying safety measures in school zones following a rise in child traffic accidents, which increased from 526 cases in 2024 to 927 in 2025. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the National Police Agency, has identified 93 high-risk areas for infrastructure improvements. Planned upgrades include installing stop signs at unsignalized crosswalks, reinforcing protective fences, and implementing raised crosswalks to force vehicle deceleration.

The push for safety follows a controversial legal ruling in Pohang, where a bus driver in his 70s received a suspended prison sentence of two years with three years of probation after a fatal accident. The driver struck a 12-year-old cyclist in a school zone while traveling at 41.5 km/h, exceeding the 30 km/h limit. The court cited the driver's admission of guilt and settlement with the victim's family as reasons for the leniency, despite criticisms regarding the severity of the penalty.

Local officials in Pohang noted that the accident occurred in an area where administrative management was incomplete due to ongoing urban development, which had hindered the enforcement of illegal parking regulations and official school zone designations. In response to these systemic issues, the government aims to tailor safety measures to specific regional risks and strengthen enforcement against illegal parking in school zones.