The Jungbu Police Station reported that the number of crimes within the park’s vicinity decreased by about 22 percent after the installation of the 3D hologram police display compared to the same period before its introduction. (Photo courtesy of Jungbu Police Station)
SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — A holographic police system installed in a central Seoul park has captured international attention as a novel and effective approach to urban crime prevention.
The virtual patrol, introduced last year by the Jungbu Police Station in Jeodong 3 Park, uses a life-sized hologram police officer that greets passersby and broadcasts safety messages. “This area is monitored by intelligent CCTV. Police will respond in real time to any emergencies such as violence,” the hologram announces repeatedly.
The initiative, part of South Korea’s effort to enhance public safety through technology, was recently spotlighted by the BBC in a feature titled “How South Korea Is Using Hologram Police to Prevent Crime.” The broadcaster noted that the system was deployed in an area known for nightlife and higher nighttime crime risk, describing it as a “practical, technology-driven alternative to traditional policing.”
Police officials reported a 22 percent drop in crime in the neighborhood since the hologram’s installation, citing not only deterrence but also increased psychological reassurance for residents and visitors.
The project has also attracted coverage from NBC in the United States and DW in Germany, whose YouTube features have garnered significant engagement. International viewers praised the initiative as an inventive model for future urban security, with comments such as “This is the technology of tomorrow,” and “I thought it was a ghost — turns out it’s a cop.”
The success of Seoul’s hologram police underscores how South Korea continues to fuse advanced technology with public safety — offering a glimpse of how cities worldwide might one day patrol their streets.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
