Trending Topics

South Korean police deploy holographic ‘officer’ to deter crime in public park

Since its installation, police say reported crimes in the area during the hours the hologram is active have dropped by roughly 22%

SEOUL — In a high-tech approach to public safety, Seoul police have installed a full-size holographic officer in a city park as part of a broader initiative to deter crime without deploying actual personnel, Vice reported.

The projection, which activates nightly between 7 and 10 p.m. in Judong No. 3 Park, issues repeated warnings about CCTV surveillance and assures onlookers that real officers will respond “in real time” if necessary, according to the report. The hologram, developed by South Korean tech company Hologrammica, has been operating since October 2024 under the city’s “Safe Park” program.

| REGISTER: Evolving training and team structure for modern SWAT operations

Since its installation, police say reported crimes in the area during those hours have dropped by roughly 22%, according to data shared with the outlet E-Daily. While the hologram cannot intervene or make arrests, officials attribute the decline in incidents to the perceived presence of law enforcement.

“Although it was clear upon closer inspection that the person wasn’t a real person, the mere perception of police presence had a significant deterrent effect,” police said in a statement.

Standing at approximately 170 cm (5 feet 7 inches), the projection was modeled on a real officer and emits a faint glow in the dark.

Jungbu Police Station Chief Ahn Dong-hyun described the hologram as a “smart security device” and confirmed that authorities are exploring expansion of similar deterrents into other public spaces.

Trending
Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada were fatally shot before backup arrived; after the officers were shot, bystanders persuaded the man to put down his weapon
ICE initially arrested Old Orchard Beach Police Department reserve Officer Jon Luke Evans, of Jamaica, on July 25
A man stole the Aurora PD cruiser and led officers on a 30-minute pursuit before losing a tire; a police sergeant then crashed into the suspect
President Donald Trump alleged that violent crime in Washington is actually getting worse as he ordered a federal takeover of the city’s police department
Company News
Booth PV 717 | August 18–21, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex

Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com