Seoul Plaza Skating Rink Bustling with Visitors Amid Continued Warm Weather

On the 6th, the coldest solar term of the year, "Sohan," citizens visiting the Seoul Plaza skating rink are skating. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-gi] As the mild weather continues, a larger crowd than usual is gathering at the Seoul Plaza skating rink.

According to Seoul City on the 8th, since its opening on December 20th last year until the 6th of this month, the number of visitors to the Seoul Plaza skating rink was counted at 61,700. This is more than 7,000 visitors increase compared to 54,000 during the same period last year. This is attributed to the less severe cold wave compared to usual years and the absence of fine dust advisories, creating an overall favorable environment for going out.

During the first week of this year, from the 1st to the 7th, temperatures in the Seoul area ranged from a low of -7℃ to a high of 7℃. The lowest temperature of -7℃ on the 1st was due to the year-end cold snap. After that, temperatures gradually rose, with daytime highs staying close to 8℃, maintaining warm weather. Unlike last year, no fine dust advisories were issued, which also contributed to the increase in visitors. This year, except for the suspension on the 7th due to rain, the skating rink has not been closed.

On the other hand, the mild weather has caused setbacks for local winter festivals. The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival postponed its opening day, originally scheduled for the 4th, by one week, and the Hongcheongang Kkongkkong Festival also delayed its dates from the 3rd to the 10th. The Pyeongchang Trout Festival opened after a one-week delay, but there were safety concerns as the ice on the Odaecheon River had not frozen sufficiently.