The thought of having to take the subway every morning for school can be a major source of stress for the students at Korea University (KU). The start of a new semester, though typically associated with fresh beginnings, may not elicit the same level of excitement for those who commute to school. In December 2022, The Granite Tower (GT) shed light on the Itaewon crowd crush where a huge number of young individuals were crushed to death on Halloween night, highlighting the need for South Korea to employ better crowd control and response systems. It has been almost a year since the disaster, yet people have continuously shown their concerns as they experience a similar fear daily during rush hours on the subway. Despite ongoing inconveniences, this issue remains far from resolved and is consistently raised whenever a new semester commences.

People running down the escalator to catch the train, a long line of people standing in front of the screen doors – this is a typical scene of the subway station in Korea during rush hour. It is particularly evident in stations located near companies or designated transfer stations, such as Sindorim. Students at KU continuously shared their experiences of commuting to school on the online platform Everytime, expressing difficulties in breathing due to overcrowding in the subways and complaining about the frequent delays that cause them to be late for classes. This recurring situation raises concerns about the potential for accidents and a decline in trust in the social safety system within Korean society. While issues exist in all societies, what sets them apart is the commitment to or lack thereof in conducting detailed analyses to address and resolve these problems.

Where It All Began

As frequently depicted in various television programs, the Korean subway system possesses distinctive features that set it apart from other countries, garnering praise from foreigners. However, it is evident that the rush hour period still presents significant challenges. The cause of the crowded subways can be divided into two primary factors: the lack of consideration of the time gaps between subways and the insufficient preparation for buses as a substitute.

The issue of overcrowding on subway platforms, particularly on the Gimpo Gold Line, is primarily caused by the long intervals between trains. The official website of Gimpo Gold Line stated that the maximum capacity of one train is 172 individuals; however, the authorities have reported that an average of 370 people board each train on the Gimpo Gold Line during rush hour. Hankyoreh reported that they have adjusted the time gap from around four minutes to three minutes and seven seconds, starting from February 2023. However, this slight change in the time gap has not effectively resolved the issue as a barrier to the society. Furthermore, the Seoul Transportation Corporation stated that for lines four, seven, and nine of the Seoul Metro, the degree of congestion exceeds 150 percent in the morning because of an uncontrollable number of people attempting to get to school or work.

Secondly, the unclear plans about the utilization of buses in the streets of Seoul are identified as another main cause of the crowded subways. The heavy traffic congestion during peak hours and infrequent bus schedules pose challenges in diverting commuters onto buses. Consequently, a huge number of people remain on the subway platforms, anxious to get on a jam-packed subway. Even the buses are colloquially referred to as “packed like sardines” due to their resemblance to overcrowded subways, with passengers standing closely together.

Step-by-Step

With the subway system facing difficulties, individuals have proposed enhancing the bus system as an alternative solution; this could include decreasing the time gaps between the buses, adding chartered buses on the road, or expanding the bus lanes. One approach that has been implemented in Korea during times of natural crises is the implementation of an extended concentration time gap period for buses during rush hours. Additionally, according to Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company, Seoul City Hall announced on July 11 that they have redefined the rush hours due to continuous rainfalls, extending the time frame by 30 minutes. With this policy added, it is predicted that the citizens can flexibly choose a suitable time to commute to work or to school in the long term, thereby alleviating overcrowding in the subway system.

However, the use of buses as a transportation option is hindered by traffic congestion, resulting in unreliable punctuality. To address this issue, it has been suggested that practical solutions be implemented to directly improve the subway system. This includes increasing the number of trains and reducing the time intervals between subways. In an interview with GT, a worker in the Safety Management Office of Gimpo Gold Line claimed, “Since the Gimpo City Hall has always been alert about this issue, they have already placed an order for more trains and the six additional trains are now being produced, ready to be operated within September 2024.”

Furthermore, the Gimpo Gold Line has taken steps to enhance safety by increasing the number of staff members, including 40 senior employees, ten emergency medical technicians waiting at Gimpo Airport station and Gurae station, and 30 professionals responsible for maintaining order. Additionally, the worker also mentioned that “Besides the subway station staff, during peak hours, approximately 40 staff members are stationed at the ten subway platforms of the Gimpo Gold Line.” He also revealed the possibility that displaying live video footage of the subway platform to those outside the gates is being considered. Thus, with the current solutions showing positive progress, the issue of overcrowded subways can hopefully be resolved expeditiously.

With the commencement of a new semester, the matter pertaining to crowded subways has come closely into the lives of commuting KU students. To safeguard the well-being of citizens and prevent the recurrence of tragic incidents such as the Itaewon crowd crush, it is imperative for individuals to actively engage in expressing their viewpoints to ensure the protection of both themselves and society as a whole.