A longstanding debate over proper escalator etiquette in South Korea remains deeply divided, according to a recent government survey and public forum held in Seoul. The survey of 1,000 adults across seven major cities revealed a near-even split in opinions: 50.1% of respondents preferred standing on one side of the escalator to leave the other side open for those in a hurry, while 49.9% believed passengers should stand still in two lines.
The issue was the focus of a government-hosted forum on August 29, where approximately 200 citizens and experts gathered to discuss whether escalators function more safely and efficiently when all riders stand or when one lane is reserved for walking. The discussion highlighted the complexities involved, including varying perspectives on safety, efficiency, and escalator maintenance.
Jang Gye-ryeon, a public administration researcher at the Korea Institute of Industrial Relations, emphasized that the debate should consider whose efficiency is prioritized, as well as the context of place and timing. “For an individual in a hurry, walking on the escalator can save time,” Jang noted. “But when considering overall passenger flow, using both sides to stand may move more people.”
Experiments cited during the forum support this view. One study at a crowded British train station found passenger capacity increased by 25 to 30% when riders stood on both sides rather than leaving one side free for walking. A similar test at Guri Station near Seoul recorded 190 passengers on an escalator during a set period with both sides occupied, compared to 164 when one side was kept clear. However, researchers cautioned that these results were preliminary and insufficient to draw firm conclusions.
Safety concerns were also central to the debate. Heo Yunseop, a professor at Korea Lift College, presented findings from sensor tests showing that walking down an escalator produces an impact force roughly double a person’s body weight, while walking up exerts 1.54 times body weight. He warned that repeated walking and uneven weight distribution when standing on only one side could stress escalator machinery, potentially affecting maintenance costs and the equipment’s lifespan, though evidence linking standing patterns directly to breakdowns remains limited.
South Korea’s approach to escalator etiquette has shifted over the years. Authorities first promoted standing on one side starting in 1998 to accommodate those in a hurry, a practice that gained widespread acceptance around the 2002 FIFA World Cup. However, concerns over accidents and equipment wear led to a government campaign encouraging two-line standing from 2009 to 2014. Since 2015, officials have refrained from endorsing a specific stance, instead advising commuters to hold handrails, avoid walking or running, and remain within safety lines.
Between 1993 and 2025, escalator accident data showed that 72.3% of incidents were linked to user behavior, with passengers aged 60 and older accounting for over half of the cases. This underscores ongoing safety challenges.
Despite hours of discussion at the forum, consensus was elusive. Before the event, 45.9% of attendees supported standing still in two lines, compared to 13.4% favoring one-side standing. After the forum, support for one-side standing rose to 29.9%, while backing for two-line standing fell to 31.4%. The largest share of participants, 38.1%, preferred applying different rules based on location and crowd density.
Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung pledged that the government would incorporate the views expressed at the forum into future policies aimed at improving escalator safety.