Seoul to install AI-based CCTVs to combat random violent crime

Social Affairs

Published: 28 Dec. 2023, 16:55

Seoul to install AI-based CCTVs to combat random violent crime

A surveillance camera in Seoul, in a photo shared by the city government. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to expand the installation of AI-based CCTVs in the capital to prevent random attacks and crimes. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Thursday that it will install AI-based surveillance cameras to prevent random attacks and crimes in the capital.

According to the city government, all CCTV units throughout the city, including those in parks and hiking trails, will be equipped with AI technology to automatically detect suspects and assaults.

Once the camera identifies a crime, the footage will be promptly transmitted to safety situation rooms at the city government, police and fire stations. The city will replace around 85,000 of approximately 160,000 CCTVs installed across the capital. The city government plans to inject some 126.5 billion won ($98 million) to replace them over the next three years.

The plan follows a rash of brutal crimes in parks and hiking trails, often considered surveillance blind spots despite high floating populations.

In August, Choi Yoon-jong, the man accused of killing a woman during an attempted rape in a park connected to a hiking trail in Sillim-dong, Gwanak District, southern Seoul, told the police that he frequently visited the park as he knew where the blind spots were.

Prosecutors, considering the possibility of recidivism and the gravity of the crime, have demanded the death penalty against Choi. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for next month.

To enhance emergency responses, the city government said all surveillance cameras installed henceforth will be equipped with AI technology.

By 2026, 10,657 AI-based CCTVs will be deployed in the capital, with 4,784 expected to be in place next year. The city government plans to prioritize areas with high crime rates and locations with many single households for the initial installations.

In October, the city government implemented AI-based cameras to manage overcrowding during Halloween events.

The software in these cameras automatically counts the number of people shown on surveillance cameras and notifies authorities if the population density in certain areas is too high.

“CCTVs are the most fundamental and reliable security network that protects the lives and safety of people,” said Kim Jin-man, director-general of the city government’s digital policy bureau.

“We aim to minimize blind spots in security, safeguard residents’ safety from indiscriminate crimes or suspicious behaviors of suspects, and alleviate people’s anxiety.”

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]