Yeongdeungpo-gu, Full Support for Seoul World Fireworks Festival

[Seoul District News] Yeongdeungpo-gu Mobilizes 337 Staff from 5 Departments for Administrative Support Ahead of Seoul World Fireworks Festival on the 8th & Administrative Support Task Force Operated, Environmental Cleanup, Crackdown on Illegal Street Vendors and Parking... Seongdong-gu to Host Seongsu Urban Regeneration Festival Planned by Residents at Seoul Forest on the 15th-16th

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced on the 8th that it will make every effort to provide administrative support such as cleaning and traffic management to ensure that the ‘2022 Seoul International Fireworks Festival’ held at Yeouido Hangang Park proceeds safely and comfortably.

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is the largest fireworks festival in the country, attracting over one million visitors annually to witness the spectacular fireworks display lighting up the autumn night sky.

With the festival having been suspended since 2019 due to COVID-19, it is expected that many spectators will visit Yeouido as the event resumes this year after a three-year hiatus.

Accordingly, the district has taken measures at the district level to prioritize safety and facilitate the smooth progress of the festival.

First, the district formed an administrative support task force consisting of the Cleaning Support Team, Street Maintenance Team, Traffic Order Team, and Public Relations Team, deploying a total of 337 personnel to promptly respond to event guidance, various accidents, and complaints.

In particular, efforts will focus on maintaining order and environmental cleanup on-site to minimize inconvenience to citizens. Before and after the event, 118 environmental officers will be deployed to thoroughly clean and maintain the Yeouido area, while encouraging visitors to participate in waste separation and recycling.

Additionally, the district will intensively crack down on illegal street vendors and roadside obstructions at the event entrance to ensure pedestrian safety, and will strengthen enforcement and guidance activities against illegal parking to reduce traffic congestion.

As this is a large-scale event, active cooperation from attendees is also important. Severe traffic congestion is expected around the event site, so using public transportation is recommended. After the event, attendees are encouraged to take the initiative in cleaning up the area and taking their trash with them.

Although the government has lifted the outdoor mask mandate following the easing of quarantine measures, it is advisable to wear masks as much as possible due to the dense crowd.

This year’s Seoul International Fireworks Festival will begin with an opening ceremony at 7 PM, followed by the main fireworks show starting at 7:20 PM.

On the day of the event, traffic on Yeouidong-ro (from the south end of Mapo Bridge to in front of the 63 Building) will be completely restricted from 2 PM to 11 PM, and some buses may detour during this time. Also, the Hangang Park parking lot in front of the 63 Building will be fully closed, so private vehicle users should take note.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “We are making thorough preparations in cooperation with related organizations to ensure a safe and enjoyable fireworks festival,” and added, “We ask citizens visiting the festival to demonstrate exemplary civic awareness by following safety controls during the event.”

Seongdong-gu (District Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that the 5th Seongsu Urban Regeneration Festival ‘Walk Only on Flower Paths’ will be held on the 15th and 16th around Seoul Forest.

Seongsu-dong, a semi-industrial area, began its transformation with the designation as a Seoul city urban regeneration pilot project zone in 2014. Old factories and warehouses have been reborn as unique cafes and experimental spaces by young artists and entrepreneurs.

In line with this transformation, the Seongsu Urban Regeneration Festival, first held in 2017, was established to introduce the meaning of urban regeneration and support social enterprises and small businesses in the area. The festival is hosted by the Seongsu Urban Regeneration Residents’ Council and organized by the Seongsu Jiaeung Urban Regeneration Cooperative.

Especially this year, as the first in-person festival in three years due to COVID-19, a variety of programs have been prepared for all age groups, from children to seniors. About 20 experiential booths will operate with engaging and educational activities such as face painting, natural cosmetics making, French woodworking, pottery workshops, senior exercise coaching, and electric car kit experiences.

Additionally, a flea market featuring around 100 local workshops and small businesses from Seongsu-dong will showcase stylish and attractive products to residents. A charity bazaar for underprivileged groups and a food market will also be operated.

Moreover, the festival will be enlivened by a family fashion show with direct resident participation, resident autonomy program performances, children’s cheerleading, and congratulatory performances by invited singers including Lee Ja-yeon, Jo Ye-bin, Ahn Sung-hoon, and Hye Jin-i.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “The Seongsu Urban Regeneration Festival embodies the pride of Seongsu-dong residents as it is planned and prepared directly by them for mutual coexistence,” and added, “We hope it will continue to strengthen Seongsu-dong’s identity and become a representative festival of the Seongsu-dong area that anyone can visit.”