By Kwon Mee-yoo
Trash bins in subway stations in Seoul will be removed temporarily during the upcoming G20 summit in November, as part of efforts to strengthen security by eliminating places in which explosives or other hazardous materials can be hidden.
Seoul Metro, the operators of Seoul subway lines 1 through 4, said Friday that there will be no garbage cans in the subway stations from Nov. 1 to 12. Unmanned mail counters and delivery storage services will be also suspended from Nov. 8 to 12.
“We will proudly demonstrate the advanced public transportation system of Seoul to visitors during the G20 summit and support the successful holding of the summit by preparing for any emergency situation or terror attempts,” a Seoul Metro official said. “Though it might be inconvenient for commuters without the trash cans and with police officers patrolling the stations, we ask for understanding and cooperation from the citizens.”
They will also strengthen safety by employing more manpower within the stations.
The public enterprise has installed 184 more closed circuit televisions in 92 stations. Security will be enforces by the police, military officials and volunteers patrolling inside the stations.
In shunting yards, subway carriages will be inspected thoroughly to prevent possible terror attempts and any other dangerous incidents.