The city of Seoul is putting the entire Hangang (Han River) area under special management to maintain order and safety during the impending influx of visitors to the Seoul International Fireworks Festival.

On the day of the 2025 Seoul International Fireworks Festival, set for the 27th, all operations of the Han River buses around Yeouido will be suspended. With over one million people expected to attend, Seoul Metropolitan Government is rolling out reinforced traffic control and safety measures to ensure a smooth festival experience.

Co-hosted by Hanwha Group and SBS, and supported by the city, the Seoul International Fireworks Festival stands as the largest domestic fireworks event. The festival will run from 1:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Yeouido Hangang Park, with the main fireworks show beginning at 7:00 p.m. This year’s program features teams from Italy, Canada, and Korea.

Yeongdeungpo District will deploy a total of 325 personnel on the day of the festival, covering all aspects from safety support and traffic control to sanitation, medical assistance, and public relations. The event grounds will be divided into designated zones, allowing for real-time crowd management. Additional government officials and police officers will be stationed at key areas expected to see heavy foot traffic, including Seonyudo Park, Dangsan Underpass, and Saetgang Culture Bridge. An emergency response system will be maintained via the disaster safety communication network and a mobile situation room.

To improve the viewing environment, the entire Yeouido area will see crackdowns on illegal street vendors and improperly parked vehicles. The city will install more cleaning vehicles and temporary garbage bins to better manage waste, with crews cleaning roads and removing litter immediately after the festival. Nurses and ambulances will be on standby throughout for any emergency situations.

A large-scale traffic control operation will be in place. On the 27th, Yeouidong-ro (from the southern end of Mapo Bridge to the 63 Building) will be completely closed from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with selective blocking at Yeouinaru-ro, International Finance Road, and three other areas. The Yeoui-shangnyu IC and certain segments will be controlled flexibly as needed. Consequently, Han River bus services will not operate at all that day.

In Mapo District, authorities have designated seven critical management sites, including Saebit Culture Forest, Bamseom Park, and Mapo Station, deploying a workforce of around 130 personnel. The district office has already made preparations with pre-event safety checks and on-site inspections, ensuring the deployment of safety staff and a robust medical support plan. District Mayor Park Kang-soo stated, “We will do our utmost to make the festival safe for everyone through thorough checks, cooperation with relevant agencies, and meticulous on-site management.”

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, also highlighted, “As this festival attracts visitors from both Korea and abroad, we will spare no effort to support administrative functions and facilitate the safety and convenience of all attendees.”

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News, Hanwha Corporation