Suwon Station recorded highest sexual offenses amid rising railway crimes

Data released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reveals a significant rise in crimes occurring at railway facilities in South Korea. Between 2021 and June 2024, a total of 15,177 railway-related crimes were recorded, representing a 42.3% increase compared to 2021 levels.

Sexual violence emerged as the most frequent type of crime, accounting for 4,701 cases or 31% of all incidents. On average, more than two sexual assault cases occurred daily within trains and stations during this period. Suwon Station recorded the highest number of sexual offenses with 92 cases, followed by Sindorim Station with 56.

In terms of total crime volume, Busan Station saw the highest frequency with 379 incidents, followed by Seoul Station (359) and Suwon Station (305). Other crime categories included violence (20.7%), theft (12.8%), and violations of the Railway Safety Act (6.0%). While the crime rate has climbed, the arrest rate for these offenses remains high at 92%.

Representative Hwang Hee has called for enhanced security measures, including increased patrols, expanded CCTV coverage, and more efficient deployment of railway special judicial police at major transit hubs to protect commuters.