South Korean government to debate escalator usage etiquette

The South Korean government is initiating a public debate regarding escalator usage etiquette following a survey that shows a near-even split in public opinion. According to data released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 50.1% of 1,000 adults surveyed in seven major cities prefer ‘one-line standing’ to allow others to pass, while 49.9% prefer ‘two-line standing’ for safety reasons.

Statistics reveal that 72.3% of escalator accidents between 1993 and 2025 were caused by user negligence. Notably, users aged 60 and older accounted for 53.3% of all accidents. Research indicates that walking on moving escalators increases impact on steps by approximately 2.01 times the body weight when descending and 1.54 times when ascending.

While current guidelines recommend three safety rules—holding handrails, not walking or running, and staying within safety lines—the government will host a forum on the 29th to discuss whether to implement uniform standards or differentiated rules based on congestion and time of day.