March 1st Simultaneous Rallies Cause Traffic Congestion in Downtown Seoul... 'Traffic Control'

On March 1st, large-scale rallies and marches are simultaneously taking place in downtown Seoul, causing severe traffic congestion in the area.

According to the Seoul Traffic Information Center (TOPIS), as of 1:50 PM, the average vehicle speed throughout downtown Seoul is only 14.8 km/h. This is about 5 km/h slower than the usual average travel speed of 19.7 km/h in downtown Seoul (based on 2021 data). Since rallies and marches are expected to intensify from the afternoon, the congestion is likely to worsen.

The Liberty Unification Party, led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, is holding the "March 1st Ten Million Citizens Rally" around Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul, starting from 1 PM. After the rally, the Liberty Unification Party and other conservative groups plan to march to Samgakji Station near the Presidential Office. As a result, Sejong-daero from Donghwa Duty Free Shop (in front of the Yi Sun-sin statue) to Seoul City Hall (Daehanmun Gate) is completely closed to traffic.

Civil society groups such as the Korea-Japan History Justice and Peace Action will hold the "104th March 1st National Rally" at the plaza in front of Seoul City Hall starting at 2 PM. At the rally, Yang Geum-deok, a victim of forced labor, will give a speech. After the rally, participants plan to march to the Statue of Peace in front of the Japanese Embassy.

From 3 PM, the April 15 Election Fraud National Struggle Headquarters will hold a March 1st rally around Bosingak in Jonggak and march toward Cheonggye Plaza. Due to this, severe congestion is expected around Sejong-daero (Jonggak, Gwanghwamun, City Hall) and Hangang-daero (Seoul Station, Samgakji Station).

A police official urged, "Please use public transportation such as the subway whenever possible, and if you must use a private car, check traffic information in advance."