Stopping the Car to Watch the Fireworks Festival, Deliberately Driving Slowly... Entitled Drivers Appear Again

Illegal Parking and Watching on Expressway
SNS Criticizes, "Disappointed in Korean Civic Consciousness"

At the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, which has become a famous autumn event in Seoul, so-called 'Yamchejok' (selfish spectators) appeared again this year, causing public disapproval. Typical behaviors include parking cars at the edge lane of the road or deliberately driving slowly to watch the fireworks.

The '2024 Seoul World Fireworks Festival' held on the afternoon of the 5th at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 27th of last month, Mapo-gu designated the northern end of Mapo Bridge and Mapo Saebit Cultural Forest as areas expected to have concentrated crowds. A Mapo-gu official stated, "We will crack down on people who deliberately drive slowly to watch the fireworks together with the police," adding, "We will strengthen safety management in vulnerable areas not only here but also in other places with large crowds."

Nevertheless, on the 5th, during the fireworks festival, selfish spectators illegally parked their vehicles on the car-only road and enjoyed the event, causing inconvenience to regular drivers.

On that day, following the Japanese and American teams, the Korean team, which performed the finale, showcased 'twin fireworks' that exploded simultaneously not only between Wonhyo Bridge and Hangang Railway Bridge but also between Wonhyo Bridge and Mapo Bridge. This was intended to allow people to enjoy the festival from farther away.

However, some citizens displayed low civic awareness and safety negligence by watching the fireworks while illegally parked on the car-only road.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government Traffic Information Center, dozens of vehicles stopped in the far lane of the Gangbyeonbuk-ro road heading toward Guri between 7:00 PM and 8:45 PM, when the '2024 Seoul International Fireworks Festival' was in full swing around Yeouido Hangang Park.

Some drivers, while driving on the 4-lane Gangbyeonbuk-ro (Yanghwa Bridge to Seogang Bridge), stopped in the 3rd to 4th lanes and got out of their vehicles to watch the fireworks. This caused congestion as cars trying to change lanes to the 2nd lane or other lanes crowded the area.

At the same time, similar scenes were observed on Olympic-daero (Hangang Bridge to Dongjak Bridge). Also, near the northern end of Wonhyo Bridge, as the pedestrian overpass was crowded with people watching the fireworks, some citizens came down onto the roadway, creating dangerous situations.

Those who came on foot to the fireworks site were no different. Many occupied bicycle-only roads, shoulders, and safety zones, spreading mats and watching the fireworks.

As a result, many comments appeared on social media (SNS) such as "It looks very dangerous," "I am disappointed in the civic consciousness of Korean citizens," and "Stronger enforcement is needed."