The security deployment
Ahead of the Halloween weekend, Seoul authorities have activated special security measures to manage visitor flows in the busiest nightlife areas. According to The Korea Herald, the plan has been in operation since 23 October and provides for reinforced surveillance from Friday to Sunday, with crowding conditions monitored in 14 areas through AI-equipped cameras and real-time urban data.
Eight areas have been classified as priority: the tourist districts of Itaewon and Hongdae, Ikseon-dong, the shopping streets of Myeong-dong, the café district of Seongsu-dong, the restaurant area near Konkuk University, Gangnam Station and Apgujeong Rodeo Street. Six other areas are also under surveillance: Wangsimni Station, Yonsei-ro in Sinchon, Balsan Station, Sillim Station, Sharosu-gil near Seoul National University Station and Nonhyeon Station.
Road closures and flow management
The most visible measure concerns traffic. On Saturday, the authorities intend to close Itaewon-ro to traffic and turn one lane of the Hongdae club street into pedestrian space. The closure of Itaewon-ro could also be ordered on Friday, depending on crowding conditions. The affected section runs from the entrance to the Itaewon area to the Cheil Worldwide intersection: the measures concern the road, not the entire district.
Police will apply three levels of traffic control depending on crowd density: the first involves managing illegal parking and obstacles; the second introduces partial vehicle restrictions while keeping an emergency lane clear; the third blocks vehicle entry. Other affected roads include sections of Jandari-ro in Hongdae, Yeonmujang-gil in Seongsu-dong, the streets of Myeong-dong and Donhwamun-ro 11-gil in Ikseon-dong. Measures also include separating pedestrian flows in narrow alleys and managing queues outside the busiest venues.
On public transport, Itaewon, Hongik University, Seongsu and Konkuk University stations could face entry restrictions or trains passing without stopping if crowds become too dense. The source specifies that these are measures tied to conditions at the time and not scheduled service suspensions. Alternative stations listed include Noksapyeong and Hangangjin (Line 6) for Itaewon, Hapjeong and Sinchon (Line 2) for Hongdae, Ttukseom (Line 2) for Seongsu and Guui (Line 2), Children's Grand Park and Jayang (Line 7) for the Konkuk University area.
What remains to be verified
The authorities advise checking service notices before traveling and following on-site instructions, as access to surrounding roads may also be restricted. To assess crowding in advance, visitors can use Visit Seoul's real-time information page and the Seoul urban data website; for traffic and restrictions, the TOPIS service and the Naver Map and Kakao Map navigation apps are available.
The actual activation of the closures—particularly Friday's Itaewon-ro closure, which is subject to crowding conditions—and any application of restrictions at subway stations, which will depend on crowd density in individual areas, remain to be verified. The material does not indicate the number of personnel deployed or the results of measures adopted in previous years, elements that are therefore not reported.
