Seoul City Gov’t Utilizes Convenience Stores as Safety Protection Place for Women

As convenience stores offer 24/7 service and have closed circuit television cameras, most of them have been considered suitable for women in danger to stay for a while. (image: Seoul Metropolitan Government)

SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – After the Seoul Metropolitan city government designated 638 convenience stores that are open 24 hours a day as safety protection spots for women, more and more women have used the places in emergency situations.

Earlier on February 25, in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the city government signed an agreement with the Korea Association of Convenience Stores and its five members, CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Ministop, and C-Space, to utilize those stores as temporary shelters for women.

As convenience stores offer 24/7 service and have closed circuit television cameras, most of them have been considered suitable for women in danger to stay for a while. In addition, the city government has set up a police hotline in those convenience stores. When a person presses an emergency button or leaves the telephone receiver off the hook, police officers are urgently dispatched to the store. In order to have prompt reaction, the city government cooperating with the police agency shares information about convenience stores operated as a safety shelter with nearby police stations and patrol divisions.

The government has also provided a mobile emergency button for stores which want to use it in case of the cashier’s absence from the counter. The button can alert the police as soon as one presses it.

Not only that, the government has instructed about 670 managers and supervisors of the stores in carrying out the scheme in an emergency. The association also provided them with its own instructions concerning the operation. In particular, GS25 and CU held their own gatherings for playing its role better.

By Veronica Huh (veronicah@kobizmedia.co.kr)