Overview

• A 70-year-old woman became trapped on her high-rise apartment balcony in central Seoul on April 9 after her door automatically locked behind her while watering plants.
• Unable to call for help due to heavy traffic noise, the woman endured 18 hours of deteriorating weather, including low temperatures and snowfall, which heightened the risk of hypothermia.
• She fashioned a makeshift rope from her clothing and threw it over the balcony railing to signal for help.
• Two patrolling police officers, Sgt. Yoo Jae-il and Senior Patrol Officer Kim Du-tae, noticed the dangling cloth and investigated, leading to her rescue on April 10 at approximately 10 a.m.
• The incident highlights the risks of automated home systems and the importance of effective emergency response measures in urban settings.