Drunk Passenger Assaults Subway Employee, Faces Serious Consequences

Seoul Metro Actively Promotes Employee Protection and Granting of Judicial Authority...132 Cases of Verbal and Physical Abuse Against Subway Workers Reported by Q3, Most Involving Intoxicated Violence...Incidents Also Occur During Mask Enforcement and Fare Evasion Guidance...Metro Requests Expansion of Judicial Authority for Employees Under Zero-Tolerance Policy, Enhances Safety Equipment and Self-Defense Training

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seoul Metro Corporation is taking proactive measures to prevent continuous verbal abuse and assault against subway workers.

Based on a 'zero tolerance' principle toward violent passengers, the corporation will actively propose to the legislature the granting of judicial authority necessary for cracking down on disorderly conduct. Internally, it plans to enhance safety equipment and provide self-defense training to protect employees.

132 cases already reported by the third quarter of this year, expected to surpass last year... ‘Intoxicated passengers’ are the biggest problem

By the third quarter of this year, there were 132 officially reported cases of assault and verbal abuse against subway workers within the corporation’s service area. Considering that 89 cases were recorded by mid-year, incidents occur roughly every two days.

Among types of verbal abuse and assault, alcohol-related violence (such as drunken disorderly conduct or assaults on staff dealing with intoxicated passengers on the last train) was the most frequent. Other cases involved verbal abuse and assault during routine duties as railway workers, such as enforcing mask-wearing, cracking down on fare evasion, and managing disorderly conduct in stations and trains.

A total of 284 cases have been adjudicated nationwide for violations of the Railway Safety Act.

Employees subjected to unjust verbal abuse and assault file complaints and lawsuits under the corporation’s zero tolerance policy. When criminal acts are recognized, passengers are prosecuted and punished under charges such as violations of the Railway Safety Act. However, most rulings have ended with fines or suspended prison sentences.

Limitations due to lack of judicial authority during disorderly conduct enforcement... Active proposals to the legislature planned

Since assaults and verbal abuse frequently occur during enforcement against disorderly conduct in the subway, the corporation, together with related agencies such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government, has been continuously requesting since 2011 that the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee grant special judicial police authority during enforcement.

Currently, unlike the police, subway staff lack judicial authority when responding on-site and maintaining order, making it practically impossible to stop disorderly conduct or demand identification, thus limiting enforcement effectiveness.

The amendment to the ‘Judicial Police Duties Act’ proposed to the National Assembly in November last year includes provisions to grant limited judicial authority to some railway workers, such as the power to demand cessation of acts violating the Minor Offenses Act and to verify violations, but it remains pending in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The corporation plans to actively advocate for granting judicial authority to employees to better respond to staff victimization.

Additional safety equipment provided and self-defense training... The most important thing is ‘respect for railway workers’

The corporation conducted a staff preference survey and, following the distribution of ID badge recorders to employees in July, will provide additional equipment such as personal pepper spray and alarms to ensure the safety of employees and citizens. Starting next year, employees will be able to receive self-defense training including self-protection techniques. Joint patrols with the police (Subway Police Unit) will also be strengthened at stations with frequent crimes.

Additionally, when verbal abuse or assault occurs, the corporation offers counseling for affected employees, supports hiring lawyers and litigation costs, provides injury certificates, emergency medical expenses, compensation for damaged personal belongings, and psychological stabilization leave to protect staff.

Kim Seok-ho, Head of the Corporation’s Operations Division, stated, “We will do our best to ensure the safety of subway users as well as protect our employees. Since public safety cannot be guaranteed if railway workers’ instructions are ignored during emergencies, we kindly ask all subway users to respect station staff and other workers for everyone’s safety.”

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