The Ministry of Public Safety explained that the reason they stopped the campaign is because a large portion of the public still prefers standing in single file, and there is no proof that doing so is linked to escalator accidents. (image: OiMax/flickr)
SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Korea Bizwire) – Great diversity of opinion is occurring online as the Ministry of Public Safety and Security announced that it will stop an awareness campaign about standing in line in pairs while waiting for escalators.
The Ministry of Public Safety explained that the reason they stopped the campaign is because a large portion of the public still prefers standing in single file, and there is no proof that doing so is linked to escalator accidents. Besides, there haven’t been any examples abroad where the proper way to stand in line was promoted through a campaign.
Netizens are debating the efficiency of standing in single file or in pairs on the escalator. They are also criticizing the authorities’ flip-flop on the campaign, because standing in single file was endorsed in the 1990s.
User ‘ying****’ commented that standing in pairs is safer, however, people should yield to those who are in a hurry.
Another user, ‘skys****’, criticized authorities for stopping the campaign, as standing in pairs is more stable, and also stated that those in a hurry could use the stairs.
However, ‘anjo****’ criticized authorities, claiming that they blamed citizens for escalator breakdowns caused by running and standing in single file, when the real reason was defective parts used by the vendors.
Authorities also received criticism from ‘sche****’, for promoting standing in single file in the 1990s, and now changing it to standing in pairs, mentioning that the costs of the campaign shouldn’t be added to the subway fees.
Finally, another user, ‘ceja****’, passed judgment on the authorities for flip-flopping, changing their policies from standing on the left to standing on the right, and standing in single file to standing side by side.
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobizmedia.co.kr)
