Gordon Ramsay's request for extra security on subway causes stir

Gordon Ramsay speaks during a press conference at his newly opened pizza restaurant in southern Seoul, Nov. 10. Courtesy of Gordon Ramsay Korea

By Lee Hae-rin

Celebrity British chef Gordon Ramsey's demeanor during his three-day visit in Seoul from Nov. 9 to 11 for the opening of his signature restaurant created a stir that continued even after he left the country.

This time, he was at the center of controversy over an alleged request to add security for his subway commute on Thursday.

It was an unprecedented security request made by a celebrity regarding public transport, which came following the Itaewon disaster that claimed 157 lives in a deadly crowd crush on Oct. 29.

Local news reports on the request triggered public outrage over the use of public resources to protect a foreign celebrity.

However, concerned parties ― Gordon Ramsay Korea, the Seoul Metro Police Agency (SMPA), Seoul Metro and Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) ― told The Korea Times that they believe the course of events has been misunderstood in the media and drew undue criticism.

Ramsay's subway commute was the "quickest and most efficient mode of transport" for the British chef and the organizers that day. The itinerary was packed with events and the team could not risk unexpected delays due to road traffic, which is common in the southern parts of the capital where Ramsay traveled by subway.

Thus, the company filed the request with police for one hour of "safety cooperation" during the British chef's planned subway trip from 11 a.m., Thursday, in accordance with the manual from its British headquarters. This international manual, which was also used for Ramsay's overseas trips to other destinations including Dubai, Singapore and Malaysia, requires international branches to notify concerned government agencies and organizations about a VIP's visits to public spaces in advance to prevent traffic and safety issues.

As directed in the manual, the company filed the request to communicate with the concerned parties. The registered document did not mention stationing officers but expressed concerns that the appearance of a foreign celebrity could lead to large crowds gathering in public spaces. Seoul Metro, KORAIL and Seoul Subway Police told The Korea Times likewise, Sunday.

The company's request was forwarded from the police to Seoul Metro and KORAIL, which are the organizations in charge of the subway lines that Ramsay took on Thursday.

The chef and his aides caught a train on Line 2 from Jamsil Station in southeastern Seoul, transferred to the Suin-Bundang Line at Seolleung Station and arrived at Seoul Forest Station. The itinerary was eight stations long and normally takes about 23 minutes. Line 2 is under Seoul Metro's jurisdiction, while KORAIL covers the Suin-Bundang Line.

In this photo taken by an anonymous subway passenger, Gordon Ramsay takes Seoul's subway line number 2, Thursday. Screenshot from the internet

Seoul Metro encouraged Gordon Ramsay Korea to take an alternative mode of transportation such as a personal vehicle, considering that the chef's subway ride could have drawn big crowds and caused congestion, in an email sent after 10 a.m. that day, but by then it was too late for the British chef and his aides who had already been following the schedule since early that morning.

Seoul Metro stationed five officials including officers and station staff in advance at Jamsil Station, considering that the company may not have complied with its suggestion and taken the subway regardless. It was "not for Gordon Ramsay, but was a precautionary measure against a possible crowd gathering," the official said.

KORAIL placed four of its officials on safety patrols to accompany the British chef along the Suin-Bundang Line. Its enforced safety measures were not for the celebrity, its official said. Some police officers were stationed at police stations in Jamsil and Seongsu while a Seoul Subway Police official confirmed that no subway police personnel were stationed upon the company's request on Thursday.

Instead, Seoul Subway Police replied to Gordon Ramsay Korea that it would respond to an emergency report in the event of any incident resulting from a crowd gathering caused by the celebrity's appearance. The department also notified the situation rooms at the Seoul Metropolitan Police and three police stations located near the subway stations that were along Ramsay's itinerary ― Songpa Police Station by Jamsil Station, Gangnam Police Station near Seolleung Station and Seongdong Police Station near Seoul Forest Station.

Meanwhile, the company prepared its own security personnel to ensure the celebrity's safety and prevent accidents from crowd gatherings. One bodyguard from the headquarters and two from the Korean branch escorted the celebrity, the official said. To avoid public attention, a minimum number of organizers ― three from the British headquarters and two from Gordon Ramsay Korea ― accompanied him on the subway commute.

"There was no intention of demanding police forces (in protecting the foreign celebrity) or taking advantage of the situation to promote Gordon Ramsay as a celebrity … The request was filed in accordance to the manual to minimize any possible public discomfort and prevent safety accidents," the Gordon Ramsay Korea official said.

Ramsay's subway trip caused no incidents and no safety issues were reported that day, both parties confirmed.