6 of 11 Hangang Parks including Yeouido and Ttukseom Open... "Beware of Safety Accidents"

On the 12th, when the monsoon entered a lull, park management officials were cleaning the walking paths at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Seoul City announced that as of 2 p.m. on the 13th, access to 6 out of 11 Hangang Parks will be reopened.

According to the Seoul Hangang Project Headquarters, Yeouido and Nanji Hangang Parks reopened at 9 a.m. that day, and from 2 p.m., Jamsil, Yanghwa, and Ttukseom Hangang Parks will reopen.

However, among these Hangang Parks, some sections such as ▲the low-lying riverside and Yeouisaetgang of Yeouido Hangang Park ▲the water play area near Nanji Hangang Park ▲the confluence of Tancheon near Jamsil Hangang Park ▲the boundary of Yeouisaetgang to the 3rd parking lot in Yanghwa Hangang Park ▲the area near the Guri city boundary in Ttukseom Hangang Park still have water not fully receded, so partial restrictions will be in place.

Previously, on the 12th, Jamwon Hangang Park was opened, making a total of 6 Hangang Parks accessible until that day.

The remaining 5 Hangang Parks?Gwangnaru, Ichon, Mangwon, Gangseo, and Banpo?remain closed for control and restoration work. Currently, restoration work such as mud cleaning and facility restoration is underway, and park reopening will be promptly carried out after comprehensively considering the discharge volume from Paldang Dam, weather conditions, and park maintenance status.

Seoul City urged citizens to avoid entering partially restricted areas even when using accessible Hangang Parks and to exercise caution until full normalization is achieved. In particular, since bicycle paths are connected between parks and many areas are damaged or still flooded, there is a high risk of safety accidents, so use is discouraged until the entire section is restored.

Also, facilities such as restrooms that were evacuated to land due to flooding in Hangang Parks may be difficult to use until electricity and water connections are restored after being moved back to their original locations.

A city official emphasized, "Restricted parks should not be visited as safety accidents such as slipping or heavy equipment accidents may occur upon entry, and even when visiting open parks, please strictly follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines such as wearing masks and social distancing."