[Report] Finally, the Lights Go Out in Downtown Seoul... Ten Million Citizens Enter Emergency Pause Period

From 12 AM on the 24th, Social Distancing Level 2 in the Seoul Metropolitan Area
Seoul City Also Declares Emergency Pause Period for Ten Million Citizens

Hundreds of Daily Confirmed Cases and Cold Weather Lead Citizens to Stay Home
Contrasting with Summer When People Headed to Convenience Stores and Hangang Parks

Around 12:40 AM on the 24th, the first day of social distancing level 2, the streets near Gangnam Station in Seoul were mostly silent as most restaurants had turned off their lights and suspended operations. Photo by Lee Jungyoon leejuyoo@

[Asia Economy reporters Yoo Byung-don and Lee Jung-yoon] Finally, the lights in downtown Seoul went out. For the time being, the dazzling neon signs and bustling streets say goodbye.

On the first day of the implementation of social distancing level 2 on the 24th, restaurants including bars closed their doors after sending customers out at midnight. The outdoor tables that had been set up in front of convenience stores last summer were gone, and Hangang Park was desolate. Those leaving bars all headed to taxi stands or bus stops. The daily count of 200 to 300 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the noticeably colder weather led citizens to head home.

In fact, the streets near Hongik University in Mapo-gu visited that day were quieter than usual. From around 11:30 p.m. the previous day, before the elevated social distancing measures took effect, many bars were empty or had only one table occupied. Some hunting pubs had more than half their tables filled, but it was nothing compared to the usual long waiting lines where patrons had to wait 1 to 2 hours to enter.

The streets, which had been quiet, began to get somewhat crowded around midnight. As business hours ended, citizens who came outside gathered in small groups, busy trying to catch taxis. After an hour, the streets were rarely populated except for occasional passersby. Kim Ji-soo (27), who was trying to catch a taxi to go home, said, “I was drinking with friends, but since they said business ends at midnight, we came outside. The weather is cold and there’s nowhere suitable to go, so I’ll just go home.”

On the first day of the implementation of Social Distancing Level 2, around 12:10 AM on the 24th, near Hongik University in Mapo-gu, Seoul. After midnight, citizens coming out of bars are gathering in small groups to catch taxis. Photo by Yoo Byung-don tamond@

At the same time, the situation near Gangnam Station in Seoul was similar. Hunting pubs, popular among young people, had empty seats here and there. Club entrances were firmly closed, and the streets were empty. From about 20 minutes before closing time, the streets briefly showed some liveliness as citizens left bars, but after midnight, it quickly became quiet again. The bright neon signs also turned off one by one. Lee (31), who was leaving a bar, said, “We had to stop business now, so we stopped drinking and came outside. There’s no suitable place to drink, so I plan to have another drink at home with my group.”

However, some bars did not send customers out even after midnight. But the police just watched. Police arrived at the bar around 12:14 a.m., and two officers talked with two women who were drinking for about 20 minutes before escorting them outside. When asked if they came because the bar was operating past midnight, the officers said, “No, that’s not the case,” and “The business had already ended before midnight.” However, at 12:18 a.m., while the officers were talking with the two women, two men were seen inside the bar talking at a table.

On the first day of the implementation of social distancing level 2, around midnight on the 24th, citizens are coming out of bars near Gangnam Station in Seoul as the closing time approaches. Photo by Jeongyoon Lee leejuyoo@

Earlier, the government decided to implement social distancing level 2 starting at midnight that day. Accordingly, among the nine types of high-risk facilities, five types of entertainment establishments including clubs, room salons, karaoke bars, colatecs, and hunting pubs were effectively banned from operating with a ‘gathering ban.’ Restaurants can operate normally, but only takeout and delivery are allowed after 9 p.m.

Seoul City also declared a ‘Ten Million Citizens Emergency Pause Period’ until the end of the year in line with level 2 measures. The main point is to reduce public transportation operations to minimize year-end gatherings and unnecessary late-night movement. City buses will reduce operations by 20% after 10 p.m. starting from the 24th, and subways will reduce operations by 20% after 10 p.m. starting from the 27th. If the emergency situation continues, the city plans to consult with the central government to further shorten subway last train times from midnight to 11 p.m.

On the 23rd at 11:40 PM, just before the implementation of Social Distancing Level 2, the streets near Hongik University in Mapo-gu, Seoul, appeared quieter than usual. Photo by Byeongdon Yoo tamond@

Seo Jeong-hyeop, acting mayor of Seoul, said, “If we do not overcome this crisis, all the efforts and sacrifices so far will be in vain,” and appealed, “Please refrain from unnecessary outings, meetings, and visits with special caution, as the risk of COVID-19 may remain wherever you visit, meet, or come into contact.”

Meanwhile, according to the quarantine authorities, Seoul City, and other local governments, from midnight to 6 p.m. on the 23rd, a total of 252 new confirmed cases were reported nationwide. Among them, 173 were in the metropolitan area and 79 in non-metropolitan areas, with Seoul reporting 108, Gyeonggi 54, and Incheon 11 cases. The number of new confirmed cases announced at midnight on the 24th is expected to increase further.