Halloween crowd safety — crisis alert raised to 'Caution'; on-site situation managers sent to 12 areas including Itaewon and Hongdae from October 30 to November 1
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
Ahead of Halloween, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety issued a 'Caution' level crisis alert and is focusing management on 28 areas nationwide, sending on-site situation managers to 12 areas including Itaewon and Hongdae from October 30 to November 1.
Key facts
| Crisis alert | 'Caution' level issued; each agency's emergency response system strengthened |
|---|---|
| Focused management | 28 areas nationwide where crowds are expected to gather |
| Advance inspection teams (12 areas) | Itaewon, Hongdae, Seongsu-dong, Kondae, Gangnam Station, Apgujeong, Myeong-dong and Ikseon-dong in Seoul; Cheomdan District in Gwangju-Jeonnam; Seomyeon in Busan; Dongseong-ro in Daegu; Dunsan-dong in Daejeon |
| On-site situation managers | October 30 – November 1; ministry director-level officials sent to the 12 areas |
| Safety tips | Avoid visiting at congested times, check exits and evacuation routes in advance, move on the right, leave immediately if you feel pressure, report danger to 112 or 119 |
| Inquiries | Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Social Disaster Response Coordination Division 044-205-5269; Disaster Safety Inspection Division 044-205-4248 |
Last checked:
On the 20th, Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety (행정안전부) held an 'inter-agency countermeasures meeting on Halloween mass-gathering crowd safety' and announced that it had issued a 'Caution' level crisis alert and would strengthen each agency's emergency response system. Ahead of Halloween, the government will focus management on 28 areas nationwide where crowds are expected to gather. Advance inspection teams will be sent to 12 areas expected to draw large crowds — Itaewon, Hongdae, Seongsu-dong, Kondae, Gangnam Station, Apgujeong, Myeong-dong and Ikseon-dong in Seoul, Cheomdan District in Gwangju-Jeonnam, Seomyeon in Busan, Dongseong-ro in Daegu and Dunsan-dong in Daejeon — to check the deployment of safety staff and the management of bottlenecks such as entrances, stairs and alleys. From October 30 to November 1, director-level on-site situation managers from the ministry will be sent to these 12 areas to manage the scene together with local governments, police and fire services until crowds disperse safely.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
How should I behave in crowded places during Halloween?
Avoid visiting during times when congestion is expected, and if you do visit, check exits and evacuation routes in advance. In narrow alleys, slopes and stairs, keep a safe distance from people around you, follow safety staff and move on the right, and take care not to stop suddenly or push others. If you feel pressure, leave the crowded area immediately and report dangerous situations to 112 or 119.
Which areas will on-site management staff be sent to?
Director-level on-site situation managers from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will be sent from October 30 to November 1 to 12 areas: Itaewon, Hongdae, Seongsu-dong, Kondae, Gangnam Station, Apgujeong, Myeong-dong and Ikseon-dong in Seoul, Cheomdan District in Gwangju-Jeonnam, Seomyeon in Busan, Dongseong-ro in Daegu and Dunsan-dong in Daejeon.