Seoul Train Delays Triggered by Operator’s 4-Minute Break
A total of 125 trains were delayed in Seoul, South Korea, after a train operator took a four-minute toilet break on Monday morning. The incident, which occurred around 8 am on Line 2, involved the conductor of the outer loop train who urgently stopped at a station and rushed to the restroom located on a different floor.
The operator was away from the cabin for 4 minutes and 16 seconds, which caused a domino effect of delays, with many of the affected trains running late by 20 minutes or more.
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Normally, conductors on the circular lines work for two to three hours without breaks, and although portable toilets are available for emergencies, they are sometimes required to use restrooms far from the platforms.
Despite the delays, Seoul Metro assured the public that the disruption was largely managed and that passengers faced minimal inconvenience.
The incident sparked discussions on social media about labor rights and the challenges faced by train operators. One user commented, “Train punctuality should be prioritized but not at the cost of a single person who cannot even take a few-minute break.” Another pointed out, “This incident shows the realistic limitations of a one-man system.”
