Raon Elementary School in Naju, South Jeolla Province, has installed an intelligent safety access management system to secure its campus [1, 2].
The system addresses critical safety concerns for the student body and faculty following a previous incident involving an unauthorized intruder who committed an assault [1, 2]. By automating entry and exit, the school aims to prevent future security breaches and provide a controlled environment for children.
The new security infrastructure utilizes facial recognition registration and the issuance of access cards to verify individuals entering the premises [1, 2]. As part of the strict security protocol, all school doors are automatically locked at 9 a.m. [1]. The system also provides a notification service that alerts parents when their children arrive at or depart from the school [1, 2].
Raon Elementary School serves approximately 900 students [1]. The school is located within a designated innovation city, an area developed following the relocation of 16 public institutions, including Korea Electric Power Corporation [1].
Parent Yu Jeong-eun said the system allows for the systematic management of strangers entering the school, which provides a sense of relief. She said it is reassuring that children can engage in school life with their teachers in a safe environment [2].
Principal Noh Myeong-sook said the school must be a space where students can live without anxiety. She said the installation of the access management system is meaningful because it strengthens the protection framework for students [2].
“The system allows for the systematic management of strangers entering the school, which provides a sense of relief.”
The adoption of facial recognition and automated locking systems in South Korean schools reflects a growing priority on physical security over open-campus accessibility. While these measures address immediate safety threats following violent intrusions, they also introduce permanent biometric surveillance into the educational environment for minors, balancing the need for protection against potential privacy concerns.
