Crime and Pollution in Wonju

Crime Data in Wonju

Crime Perception and Concerns

In 2024, Wonju's crime data indicates a moderate concern for safety among residents. While the city experiences relatively low levels of violent crimes, property crimes remain a significant issue.

The perception of safety varies with time, showing that residents feel less secure during nighttime compared to daylight hours.

Some notable concerns include:

• Property Crimes - Property crimes have emerged as a primary concern for the citizens of Wonju. Incidents related to theft and burglary are prevalent, leading to heightened anxiety among the populace.
• Drug-Related Issues - Drug-related crimes are currently perceived as minimal, which is indicative of the effectiveness of local policies in controlling this aspect of crime.
• Violent Crimes - The fear of violent crimes in Wonju remains quite low. Residents generally do not express significant concern about issues like assault or robbery, reflecting the city's focus on maintaining public order.
• Public Safety - Residents of Wonju express confidence in their safety during the day, with many citing a peaceful environment and effective community policing as reasons for this comfort. However, safety perceptions drop at night, suggesting a need for enhanced nighttime security measures.

Crime Trends and Safety

• Rising Crime Concerns - Interestingly, there is a strong perception among residents that crime is not increasing, which might be attributed to effective crime management strategies currently in place.
• Specific Fears - Specific concerns in Wonju are mostly centered around property crimes, with less worry around issues relating to personal attacks or racial, ethnic or religious discrimination.

Summary of Crime in Wonju

Wonju maintains a moderate crime index with a focus on addressing property-related concerns. Continued vigilance and community engagement are key to further enhancing public security.

Crime Rankings

The crime ranking by city for South Korea is based on a continuously updated index, incorporating data up to 36 months old and calculated twice a year. Cities are ranked on a scale from "very low" to "very high" crime levels, with safety being the inverse, where a high safety index indicates a safer city.

1. Seoul

South Korea

Air Quality and Pollution Levels

Wonju faces substantial challenges with regard to air quality, heavily influenced by particulate matter levels including PM2.5 and PM10.

The air quality has led to notable public discomfort, underlining the need for improved environmental policies and initiatives.

• PM2.5 (Fine Particulate Matter) - PM2.5 levels in Wonju, although considerable, suggest a need for ongoing monitoring and control measures, especially to protect susceptible groups.
• PM10 (Coarse Particulate Matter) - The PM10 level, higher than acceptable limits, contributes significantly to the city's pollution index, necessitating urgent action for improvement.

Waste and Noise Pollution

Wonju experiences significant noise pollution, especially in urbanized areas where vehicular traffic and other commotion predominate.

Garbage disposal is not a major concern, though opinions on cleanliness and waste management are mixed, highlighting room for improvement.

• Garbage Disposal Satisfaction - Opinions on garbage disposal are divided, possibly indicating disparities in service quality across different neighborhoods.
• Noise and Light Pollution - Noise and light pollution is notably high, impacting the quality of life. Continued efforts to manage urban noise are crucial to enhance living conditions.

Green Spaces and Water Quality

The quality of green spaces in Wonju is highly rated, providing essential recreational and environmental benefits to local residents.

Drinking water quality is generally considered satisfactory, though improvements in perception could enhance public confidence further.

• Green and Parks Quality - Green spaces in Wonju are well-regarded by residents, considered vital for both leisure and the environmental health of the city.
• Drinking Water Quality - While drinking water is accessible, satisfaction with its quality could be improved, emphasizing the need for enhanced water management strategies.

Pollution Rankings

The pollution ranking for South Korea is based on a combination of visitor perceptions and data from institutions like the World Health Organization. The Pollution Index estimates overall pollution levels by considering air and water pollution, garbage disposal, and other factors, with air pollution given the highest weight, while the Pollution Exp Scale uses an exponential function to highlight extremely polluted cities.

1. Seoul

South Korea