SEOUL — A life-size holographic police officer now appears nightly in a central Seoul park as part of a pilot effort to deter late-night crime, and local authorities say reported incidents in the area have fallen by roughly 22 percent since the system was installed.
The projection is shown on an acrylic screen in Jeo-dong (Judong) No. 3 Park between 19:00 and 22:00, activating about every two minutes with a prerecorded warning: “In case of an emergency, the police will be dispatched in real time. CCTV is installed here.” The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency states that live officers remain nearby, and the hologram is equipped with AI-enabled cameras to assist in monitoring the area.
Police presented comparative data indicating the decline in reported park crimes after the hologram’s installation. Seoul police said they compared figures from October 2023–May 2024 (before deployment) with October 2024–May 2025 (after deployment) to reach the 22 percent estimate. Officials have described the project as part of a broader “Safe Park” initiative and are considering expanding similar systems to other trouble spots.
The hologram, reportedly developed by a private tech firm and modeled on a real officer, stands roughly 1.7 meters tall in full uniform. It repeatedly reminds visitors that the area is under CCTV surveillance and that police can be dispatched in real time, creating a visible — if virtual — law enforcement presence. Authorities and some observers credit the projection’s psychological effect for reducing impulsive crimes such as drunken assaults and street disputes.
Experts and commentators say the scheme works primarily as a deterrent by increasing the perceived likelihood of detection, a concept known in behavioural science as “nudge theory.” Ed Flahavan of the Behavioural Insights Team and other criminologists note that visible surveillance and police presence can reduce opportunistic offenses, but they caution that holograms cannot physically intervene or replace patrols. “In behavioural science, using police as a deterrent to reduce crime is about increasing the perceived likelihood of criminals being caught,” one expert observed.
Critics warn the approach raises questions about long-term effectiveness, transparency, and privacy. Some commentators say initial reductions may fade if offenders adapt, and civil liberties advocates have urged clarity on how AI cameras are used, how data are stored, and what oversight governs the technology. Seoul police say human officers remain responsible for any response and that the hologram is a force multiplier rather than a replacement for traditional policing.
The Jeo-dong pilot adds to a small but growing list of cities experimenting with virtual or remote-presence policing tools — from audio warnings to remote deterrence systems — as municipal authorities look for cost-effective ways to maintain safety in busy nightlife districts. Seoul’s initial results have prompted interest from other municipal units considering similar, technology-led public safety measures.
Reporting draws on statements from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and coverage by Korea JoongAng Daily, South China Morning Post, Vice, and other outlets.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
