"Is 4 AM a Big Deal?" Armed with Hot Packs and Long Padding... World Cup Cheer Fever Heats Up Gwanghwamun

"Let's go to the finals!"... Cheering heats up from midnight at Gwanghwamun
Police, Fire Department, and Seoul City prepare for 'emergency situations'
119 Ambulances also deployed

[Asia Economy Reporters Jang Sehee and Oh Gyumin]"I brought three hot packs and wore a long padding coat because it’s minus 3 degrees Celsius. Our national team will create another miracle."

At 12 a.m. on the 6th, Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square was filled with Red Devils and citizens gathered to cheer for the 2022 Qatar World Cup match between Korea and Brazil. Despite the minus 3-degree cold wave, everyone who came out for the street cheering for the round of 16 was holding hot packs in both hands and wearing long padding coats.

By around 12:30 p.m., the area around the large screen at the front was completely packed with people, and private security guards guided citizens to other zones.

Office worker Choi Heeah (25) said, "I finished work late and came early to Gwanghwamun to get a good spot," adding, "If there were too many people, I was planning to go to a nearby cafe or pub to cheer, but since there are guides, I feel reassured and think it will be fine." She added, "I brought hot packs, a scarf, and sleeping socks because I thought it would be cold."

On the morning of the 6th, when the match between Korea and Brazil in the 2022 Qatar World Cup is held, citizens are cheering at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jang Sehee

Lee Sohee (22), who came with a friend, said, "I also came to Gwanghwamun to cheer during the Portugal match," adding, "Although there were concerns about crowd accidents, it seems less crowded than expected, and since I can sit down, I just need to endure the cold well."

Some soccer enthusiasts who are office workers even took annual leave to join the street cheering. Kim Jinseok (36), who wore a T-shirt with the Taegeukgi flag from a nearby soccer goods store, said, "I took a day off and came out with great determination," adding, "I came with three friends, and I plan to take many commemorative photos, wondering if there will be another day like this." Kim Yoonhee (35) said, "What does 4 a.m. matter?" and added, "I came armed with hot packs to cheer all night."

At 1 a.m., the Red Devils heated up the atmosphere by shouting cheering slogans. When the Red Devils chanted "Let’s go to the finals," the crowd responded with "Yeah!" The Red Devils also mentioned the Itaewon tragedy and asked citizens to cheer in an orderly manner. Anticipating a large crowd, the Red Devils prepared two additional vehicle-mounted LED screens.

The police, fire department, and Seoul city officials maintained order and prepared for emergencies on site. The National Police Agency deployed 65 police officers, six riot police units totaling about 380 personnel, and 20 special forces at Gwanghwamun Square that day. The fire department mobilized 12 fire trucks and 69 personnel for support. A police official said, "We divided the cheering area into five zones with fences to thoroughly manage the crowd," adding, "Firefighters and ambulances are also on standby in case of emergencies."