"Reported Man for Indecent Acts on Subway, Only Formal Response Given"... Ultimately Missed the Golden Time

Witnessed Obscene Act Opposite Gyeongchun Line Last Year-End
Reported to Korea Railroad Corporation but Suspect Escaped

A controversy has arisen over claims that appropriate measures were not taken after a man engaging in obscene acts across the subway was reported. On the 4th, YTN reported that the female victim claimed the man fled while Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) responded passively. The corporation stated, "The railway police unit was far away, so it took time."

Passenger A, who was on the Gyeongchun Line subway returning to Seoul at the end of last year, witnessed a man wearing a black coat, hat, and mask performing obscene acts across from them. A told YTN, "It seemed like he was targeting me. At first, I thought I was mistaken, but then I realized I could be a victim of a more serious crime," describing the situation at the time.

Man Hiding Face While Committing Obscene Acts... When Reported, Told "Report Elsewhere"

[Image source=YTN news screen capture]

A urgently reported the incident via text to KORAIL. However, the corporation responded with questions such as "What kind of disturbance is occurring?" and "Is harm currently being inflicted?" According to A, despite urging them to "come quickly and help," they were told to "report by phone elsewhere" and were only given a phone number.

About 10 minutes later, the man got off midway, but it was reported that no station staff or railway police unit arrived after the report. A said, "If the staff or police unit had been on standby, he would have been caught immediately. I only feel that he was missed right in front of my eyes," adding, "I take the Gyeongchun Line almost once a week, so I am worried."

Railway Police Jurisdiction... KORAIL Says "Long Distance Caused Delay"

[Image source=YTN news screen capture]

After losing the man, A reported to the police, but the police said, "This happened on the subway, so it is not within our jurisdiction," and transferred the case to the railway police. The Gyeongchun Line is operated by KORAIL, and the Railway Special Judicial Police under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is responsible. The railway police are analyzing CCTV footage and searching for the man who committed the obscene acts, but he used a disposable ticket and concealed his face, showing a meticulous method, making it difficult to identify him.

KORAIL stated, "The Gyeongchun Line railway police unit is stationed at Cheongnyangni Station and Namchuncheon Station, so it inevitably took more than 30 minutes to dispatch," and added, "We will consider operating a mobile team during vulnerable times such as weekends."

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