Seoul has rolled out a host of cutting-edge security equipment as it strives to host the Nuclear Security Summit without a glitch.

With representatives of 53 nations including 39 heads of state gathered in one place, security is at the top of the agenda for those organizing the event.

The most noticeable of such equipment is the facial recognition system placed at all entrances of the COEX. Although the system was used during the G20 summit held in Seoul in 2010, the system has been upgraded this time, significantly improving its efficiency.

The system consists of a camera fitted into a gate way similar to metal detectors found in airports, which are linked up to a computer.

As authorized personnel wearing identification cards fitted with radio-frequency identification chips walk in, the camera takes a photograph of the person’s face. 

The system then analyzes the photograph by measuring the distance between each eye and the center of the lips. According to officials the analysis method using the distances between the three points of the face minimizes the effects of spectacles and other features that could alter a person’s appearance.

The result is compared to the photograph on the ID card to verify the person’s identity. The entire process, from the moment the photograph is taken to verifying the identity of a person entering the facilities, is completed in matter of seconds, officials said.

The photograph taken at the entrance and that used on the ID card also appear on a screen facing security personnel.

According to Nuclear Security Summit security officials, the upgraded system has shown about a 95 percent success rate in identifying individual faces.

In addition to the facial recognition system, high-tech security equipment including a “radioactivity gate” has been deployed at the venue of the summit.

Developed by local engineers, the radioactivity gate detects radioactivity from personnel and vehicles entering the COEX. Other features of the security in place at COEX include equipment for searching the underside of automobiles and chemical detectors. In addition, the helicopter monitoring surrounding areas is fitted with thermal imaging equipment to allow close monitoring of the surroundings around the clock.

Along with the high-tech security equipment, conventional security measures are also present in abundance to ensure the highest possible level of security.

For several weeks ahead of the summit, the COEX’s roof-top parking lot has been out of bounds for unauthorized vehicles and personnel.

In addition, the center is surrounded by three layers of security fences cutting off access to unauthorized personnel, and as many as 40,000 security personnel will be on duty.

By Choi He-suk  (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)