"Suwon's public restrooms have no hidden camera concerns"…Suwon launches first phase of 24/7 detection system for 45 locations

Suwon City is launching the construction of a 24/7 detection system to catch illegal filming crimes in public restrooms in real time, taking the first step toward creating "illegal filming-free restrooms."

According to Suwon City on the 22nd, the city has secured 112.5 million won in budget through supplementary appropriations this year for the "public restroom safety management facility installation project" and plans to install illegal filming detection systems at 45 public restrooms in the region.

The project costs will be split evenly between national and city funds. The city participated in a needs assessment by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety last year to secure national funding, and has now completed budget procurement following the recent passage of supplementary appropriations.

The key aspect of this project is elevating the response to illegal filming crimes from the existing "inspection" approach to "24/7 detection," taking a step forward.

Until now, prevention of illegal filming in public restrooms mainly involved staff using detection equipment to check whether cameras were installed. The newly installed system will detect illegal filming devices installed inside restrooms on a 24/7 basis.

The installation targets 45 public restrooms located in tourist attractions and commercial facilities. The installation standard cost per location is set at 2.5 million won.

The city currently operates 182 public restrooms, and 118 open restrooms designated to provide access to private facilities for citizens, totaling 300 restrooms.

The project targets 45 public restrooms excluding open restrooms, meaning 24.7 percent of Suwon's public restrooms—approximately one out of every four—will have a 24/7 detection system installed on a priority basis.

As illegal filming crimes continue, related laws are also being strengthened.

The amended "Public Restroom Act" promulgated last month explicitly includes "illegal filming detection systems" among the safety management facilities that mayors, county heads, and district heads must install, in addition to the existing emergency bells. The amended law will take effect from February next year.

The amended law requires local governments to conduct regular inspections of public restrooms at least twice a year and, when necessary, conduct spot checks, while also examining not only the presence of illegal filming cameras but also malfunctions and false alarms in safety management facilities, as well as operational and maintenance conditions.

The city plans to first build the system at 45 locations this year and then observe operational effects before deciding on expansion.

The city believes that if the 24/7 detection system, which will start at some public restrooms, proves effective in actually preventing illegal filming and alleviating citizen concerns, the scope of application can be gradually expanded.

A city official stated, "As this is a project being pursued for the first time this year, we plan to install and operate it on a priority basis," and added, "If the need is confirmed during operation, we will also consider expanding the scope."