Seoul Metro, Measures Including Additional E/L Installation at Jegidong Station and Cheongnyangni Station for Safety

Kim In-ho, Chair of Seoul Metropolitan Council, Orders On-site Inspection and Countermeasures... Many Safety Accidents with Handcarts after Shopping at Cheongnyangni and Gyeongdong Markets by Seniors; 107 of 114 E/S Accidents in Last 3 Years Occurred at 2 Entrances (Approx. 94%); Customized Measures Including Additional Installation to Expand Safe Elevator and Escalator Use

Kim In-ho, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, is visiting the site and receiving a report from Kim Seong-ryeol, Head of Technology at Seoul Metro.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seoul Metro Corporation is preparing customized safety measures to prevent accidents among the elderly at Jegidong Station and Cheongnyangni Station, where escalator (E/S) accidents frequently occur.

Out of 114 E/S accidents at Jegidong Station and Cheongnyangni Station over the past three years, 107 occurred at Jegidong Station Exit 2 (61 cases) and Cheongnyangni Station Exit 6 (46 cases).

Most elderly passengers carry heavy loads or handcarts after shopping at Cheongnyangni Market and Gyeongdong Market and board the escalators, often losing balance and falling. To prevent these frequent accidents, supplementary measures are being prepared.

Currently, two escalators measuring 800mm each operate at Jegidong Station Exit 2. Since the escalators and stairs pass above the main line, difficult construction is expected, but plans are underway to expand them to two escalators measuring 1200mm each.

Additionally, comprehensive measures including the installation of additional elevators (E/L) to promote safer elevator use instead of escalators are being prepared. Additional elevators at Jegidong Station will be installed in advance to enable transfers in preparation for the opening of the Dongbuk Line in 2025.

Kim In-ho, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, Dongdaemun District Office, market merchants' association, and Cheongnyangni Urban Regeneration Field Support Center visited the sites together to ensure comprehensive safety measures through active on-site management.

The corporation currently deploys safety security personnel at the stations from 2 to 3 p.m. and plans to promptly assign senior safety staff to guide safe escalator use and encourage elevator use.

Furthermore, Kim In-ho, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, stated, “We will install one additional safer elevator each at Jegidong Station and Cheongnyangni Station, promote fundamental safety accident reduction measures, and simultaneously pursue plans to expand the width of the escalators.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.