Security Guard
Overview
A security guard is a profession responsible for protecting property and lives from various risks such as fire, theft, and intrusion in buildings, facilities, and residential complexes, as well as managing access control and maintaining order. In South Korea, security guards operate under the Security Services Industry Act, affiliated with security companies, and are categorized into apartment security guards, facility security guards, and special security guards. Recently, aging workforce, working condition issues, and improving social perception have emerged as major challenges.
Main Content
1. Duties and Roles
The core duties of a security guard include facility patrols, visitor verification, CCTV monitoring, fire and theft prevention, and emergency response. Apartment security guards often also handle convenience tasks such as parcel storage, support for waste separation and recycling, and parking management. Special security guards perform armed security at airports, financial institutions, and national critical facilities, requiring rigorous training and qualifications.
2. Working Environment and Conditions
Most security guards work 24-hour rotating shifts (day and night), and rest areas are often inadequate. As of 2023, the average monthly salary for a security guard is around 2 million KRW, close to or slightly above the minimum wage. The high proportion of elderly workers (aged 60 and above) raises concerns about low pay relative to labor intensity and long working hours. The Serious Accidents Punishment Act, effective from 2024, strengthened safety and health management responsibilities for security guards, but on-site implementation remains insufficient.
3. Social Perception and Conflicts
Security guards are often perceived as 'simple manual laborers,' leading to frequent cases of disrespect, verbal abuse, or physical assault from residents or customers. The 2020 'apartment security guard assault incident' sparked public outrage, prompting active discussions on improving working conditions and protecting the human rights of security guards. Some local governments have introduced ordinances to improve rest areas and strengthen penalties for assaults, but fundamental changes in perception are slow.
4. Legal and Institutional Framework
Security guards are regulated under the Security Services Industry Act (enacted in 1976, fully revised in 2020). Security companies must register with the local police station, and security guards must complete at least 24 hours of training. The 2023 revision of the Security Services Industry Act introduced stricter penalties for perpetrators of assault or verbal abuse against security guards (up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million KRW) and victim protection provisions. Additionally, a 'Security Guard Protector App' has been introduced to enable reporting in emergency situations.
5. Aging of Security Guards and the Future
According to 2024 data from Statistics Korea, over 70% of security guards are aged 60 or older, making this a major avenue for post-retirement reemployment. However, health issues due to aging, difficulties with night shifts, and low wages lead to high turnover rates. With the expansion of AI and robot security systems (drones, autonomous patrol robots) in the future, the role of security guards is expected to shift from simple surveillance to management and supervision.
Recent Trends
As of 2024–2025, key changes related to security guards are as follows. First, the 'Comprehensive Measures for Improving Security Guard Working Conditions' (announced in March 2024) strengthened the obligation of security companies to comply with the minimum wage and specified standards for rest area installation. Second, the introduction of AI-based intelligent CCTV and remote control systems is digitalizing security guard work. Third, from 2025, a law will take effect allowing probation orders for perpetrators in cases of assault against security guards. Fourth, the 'Security Guard Human Rights Protection Campaign' is spreading nationwide, promoting a culture of respect for security guards in apartment complexes. Fifth, since COVID-19, quarantine duties have been added to security guards' responsibilities, but a separate compensation system for these tasks is still lacking.
Related Topics
- [[Security Services Industry Act]]
- [[Apartment Security Guard]]
- [[Serious Accidents Punishment Act]]
- [[Minimum Wage]]
- [[Human Rights Protection]]
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