Gatherings and Marches Across Downtown on the 13th
Nationwide Running Event on the 14th
Large-scale Rally by the Jayutongildang on the 15th
Police Urge "Use Public Transportation Whenever Possible"
Due to heavy rain, traffic in both directions on Jamsu Bridge is being restricted. On the 10th, traffic congestion is occurring as vehicles move toward the city from the northern end of Banpo Bridge in Seoul. Photo by Jang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The police have urged the public to use public transportation during the Liberation Day holiday period (August 13-15), as traffic disruptions are expected in the downtown Seoul area due to various events.
On the 12th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced, "During the holiday period, large-scale rallies by progressive and conservative groups, as well as cultural and sports events such as the 'National Running Event,' are scheduled to take place in downtown Seoul, which is expected to cause traffic inconveniences in the area."
On the 13th, rallies are planned throughout the downtown area starting in the morning. In particular, in the afternoon, the 815 Promotion Committee and others plan to hold a rally at Sungnyemun and then march to Samgakji Station. This is expected to cause severe traffic congestion on Sejong-daero and Hangang-daero, and general vehicles will be allowed to use the central bus lanes from Samgakji to Seoul Station.
On the 14th, due to the ‘National Running Event’ hosted by the Korean Sports Council, traffic will be sequentially restricted from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. from the Blue House to the National Museum of Korea via Hyoja-ro, Sejong-daero, Hangang-daero, and Seobinggo.
On Liberation Day, the 15th, a large-scale rally by the Liberty Unification Party is scheduled around the Gwanghwamun building, which is expected to cause traffic disruptions in the downtown area. The variable lanes between Sejong and Daehanmun will be operated, and left turns and U-turns will be prohibited at Sejong Rotary, allowing only straight traffic.
To minimize traffic congestion and inconvenience to citizens in the downtown area, the police plan to install 50 guide signboards around the rally and march routes and deploy over 400 personnel, including traffic police, to manage traffic by directing vehicle detours.
A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official requested, "When passing through downtown areas such as Sejong-daero, Hangang-daero, Jongno, and Euljiro, please use public transportation such as the subway as much as possible. If driving is unavoidable, please detour congested areas and follow the traffic police’s hand signals carefully."
Detailed traffic information during rally and event times can be checked via the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency traffic information hotline (700-5000), the Traffic Information Center website (www.spatic.go.kr), and KakaoTalk (Seoul Police Traffic Information).
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