AI CCTV, Drones Boost Geum River Safety; Staffing Rises to 112

To prevent water safety accidents this summer, South Chungcheong Province will install CCTV cameras with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in the Geumsan Geum River area and conduct proactive surveillance using drones deployed for missing person searches. The number of inland water safety management personnel, which was 60 last year, will be significantly increased to 112 this year, with plans to thoroughly monitor high-risk water areas.

South Chungcheong Province will also implement various measures to encourage compliance with safety rules, including the constant operation of free life jacket rental stations and mandatory recording of responses to non-compliance in dangerous areas and guidance for drunk swimmers.

From 2021 to last year, a total of 41 drowning deaths occurred in the Chungnam region during the summer. Of these, men accounted for the majority at 37 (90.2%), with negligence being the most common cause of death. Incidents also occurred during fishing, sea foraging, and clam collecting.