Seoul subway authorities said Sunday they will begin operating closed circuit televisions in more than 500 subway trains this week to help prevent crimes.
A small number of CCTVs have been installed in each of the 504 trains running on Line 7 of Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corp., which operates subway lines 5-8 in the country's capital, a spokesman for the corporation said. SeoulMetro operates lines 1-4.
The corporation will consider installing CCTVs in trains running on lines 5, 6 and 8 if those on Line 7 turn out to be effective and pose no major problems for commuters, the spokesman said.
Subway authorities will monitor CCTVs only if an emergency situation takes place, he said, noting the corporation will try its utmost not to infringe upon customers' privacy.
Footage from CCTVs will be erased after 30 days. "We hope CCTVs will serve as an alarm for crimes and those acting in a disorderly manner," the spokesman said.