Aftermath of Emergency Martial Law... Seoul Districts Assure "Festivals and Events Proceed Without Disruption"

Weekend Events in Seocho, Seongbuk, Geumcheon Districts Proceed as Planned
District Mayors Lee Seung-ro and Jung Won-oh: "We Will Protect Residents' Daily Lives"

Amid political turmoil caused by the aftermath of the emergency martial law, Seoul’s autonomous districts that planned festivals and events this week have decided to proceed with their schedules as planned.

Some district mayors who voiced their opinions regarding the emergency martial law declaration also emphasized that they would “do their best to ensure daily life is not disrupted,” so unless additional unexpected situations arise, there is expected to be no change in events involving residents.

Scenes from the 2023 Christmas French Traditional Market event in Seorae Village, Seocho-gu. Provided by Seocho-gu.

Seocho-gu has decided to hold the ‘2024 Christmas French Traditional Market’ as scheduled on Saturday, the 7th, at Paris 15th District Park in Seorae Village. The ‘Christmas French Traditional Market’ in Seorae Village is a representative winter event marking its 22nd year this year, having started in 2003 as a small-scale fundraiser to help low-income families. It is co-hosted by the Seoul French School and Danim Group Co., Ltd., and serves as a place of harmony where French residents and local community members strengthen their friendship.

Seongbuk-gu is also preparing smoothly for the ‘European Christmas Market Event’ scheduled for the 7th and 8th. This event is one of Seongbuk-gu’s representative festivals, attracting over 10,000 visitors daily, and has a significant impact on revitalizing the local economy. This year, it is a global festival with participation from embassies of 13 European countries including Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Hungary, and Poland, making cancellation more burdensome.

Seongbuk-gu Mayor Lee Seung-ro also stated on his Facebook on the morning of the 4th, “All work and public services in Seongbuk-gu will proceed smoothly and routinely,” adding, “We will protect the daily lives of residents.”

Geumcheon-gu will hold the ‘2024 Year-End Choir Festival’ scheduled for the evening of the 6th as planned, and Dongdaemun-gu will also hold the ‘Dongdaemun-gu Year-End Trot Grand Festival’ at the Dongdaemun-gu Gymnasium on the afternoon of the 8th as scheduled.

The autonomous districts hold the view that canceling events would rather cause confusion in daily life. They considered that postponing or canceling schedules amid a severe economic downturn would deal a more serious blow to small businesses and self-employed individuals, and also took into account that the emergency martial law declared by President Yoon Seok-yeol was lifted within six hours due to the prompt response of the National Assembly.

Jung Won-oh, mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Although the martial law has been lifted, the social anxiety caused by the emergency situation may not be easily shaken off and could cause various confusions in future domestic and international affairs, which is particularly concerning,” but added, “All district office work will continue normally without change, and we will do our best to ensure the precious daily lives of residents are not disrupted.”

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, held an emergency expanded executive meeting on the morning of the 4th regarding the declaration of martial law. Provided by Seongdong-gu.