August 25, 2025 | 06:05 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - South Korea has implemented an unconventional method to improve public safety by installing life-sized hologram police officers for surveillance in public spaces. Since being installed in a park in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, the crime rate has reportedly decreased by 22 percent, according to data.
The 3D hologram police officers from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stand at 170 centimeters tall and wear complete uniforms, mimicking real officers. This project was launched as part of the "Creating a Safe Park in Jungbu" initiative targeting areas with high law enforcement needs, especially those affected by disturbances related to alcohol and violent behavior.
As the hologram needs to be on display throughout the year, an official uniform was chosen as it is suitable for all seasons. The hologram has now gained popularity among the substantial foreign population in the area.
Audio Messages Every Two Minutes
The digital officers appear every night, glowing blue in the dark, between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at Jodong No. 3 Park in downtown Seoul. They appear every two minutes to deliver pre-recorded audio messages. These messages remind pedestrians that they are under surveillance by security cameras. In cases of violence or other emergencies, the police will respond immediately before disappearing.
The Jungbu Police Station stated that this human-sized hologram creates a sense of security for residents and serves as a psychological deterrent against disorderly behavior. "The hologram guide serves as a smart policing tool that boosts the public’s sense of security while deterring unruly behavior," said Ahn Dong-hyun, the head of the Jungbu Police Station in Seoul, quoted Korea JoongAng Daily.
Installed Since October 2024
Developed by the South Korean technology company, Hologrammica, these officers have been operating since October 2024. Since their installation, the reported crime rate in the area during those hours has decreased by around 22 percent. This figure was obtained by comparing data from October 2023 to May 2024 (before the installation of the holograms) to data from October 2024 to May 2025 (after the installation of the holograms).
The public's reactions to the holograms vary. Some people joked that the decrease in crime is because people are too scared to enter the park with these ghost-like hologram police officers. One social media user found it amusing yet beneficial that the officers installed CCTV.
Ahn confirmed that authorities plan to expand the use of similar hologram police officers to other public spaces.
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