Seoul Establishes Comprehensive Safety Plan
Non-stop Service at Yeouinaru Station in Case of Congestion
Concentrated Bus Deployment After the Event
To ensure the safe hosting of the Seoul International Fireworks Festival on the 27th, Yeouidong-ro will be completely closed from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the day of the event. For the safety of spectators, Hangang Buses will also suspend operations on that day.
On September 23, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it had established a comprehensive safety plan for the 'Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2025 with Hanwha,' which will be held at Yeouido Hangang Park on the 27th.
The Seoul International Fireworks Festival will be held at Yeouido Hangang Park on the 27th. Photo by Seoul City
On the day of the festival, Yeouidong-ro will be fully closed from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Nineteen bus routes passing through this area will be diverted. To facilitate a smooth return home after the event, 26 bus routes passing through Yeouido Transfer Center, Yeouido Station, and Yeouinaru Station will be concentrated between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Subway Line 5 will run 18 additional trains, and Line 9 will run 62 additional trains.
Yeouinaru Station on Subway Line 5, which is adjacent to the event site, may implement non-stop service and close entrances and exits in case of congestion. Spectators are advised to check nearby stations such as Yeouido Station, Mapo Station, and Saetgang Station in advance. A total of 306 safety personnel-more than four times the usual number-will be deployed at 17 stations around the event venue.
Hangang Buses will not operate, considering public safety. About 20 staff members will be deployed at Yeouido Dock to control access. At the request of Mapo Police Station, rooftop access at Mangwon Dock will also be restricted.
This year, Nodeul Island will serve as the 'Seoul Fireworks Companion Island,' where families from various culturally marginalized groups are invited, and general public access will be restricted. To manage crowds on Hangang Bridge, 15 bus routes will pass through without stopping from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the day of the event, and taxis will not be allowed to pick up or drop off passengers on Hangang Bridge. In particular, the city has requested the taxi industry to refrain from picking up or dropping off passengers not only on Hangang Bridge but also on other bridges with views of the fireworks, such as Mapo Bridge.
Additionally, the rental and return of Seoul Bike Ddareungi, privately rented personal mobility devices, and electric bicycles will be temporarily suspended in areas with high spectator density, including Yeouido, Mapo, Yongsan, and Dongjak districts. This suspension will be in effect from 7 p.m. on the 26th until 9 a.m. on the 28th.
The city has increased the number of safety personnel by 13% compared to the previous year. In cooperation with related organizations such as the police, fire department, district offices, and Hanwha Group, a 'Comprehensive Safety Headquarters' will be operated. Hanwha Group will monitor crowd density in real time by installing CCTV cameras in each area and will prepare to respond quickly to personnel deployment and crowd dispersion through a safety management app.
From the day before the event until the event day, Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the police, fire department, and district offices will conduct joint on-site inspections. All relevant agencies will review crowd management measures and the safety of facilities, and will check whether any deficiencies are addressed by the day of the festival.
For a pleasant festival experience, 90 temporary toilets and additional waste collection facilities will be installed at Yeouido and Ichon Hangang Parks. After the event, about 1,200 volunteers, including Hanwha employees, will clean up the area around the venue.
Kim Taehui, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Culture Headquarters, stated, "The 'Seoul International Fireworks Festival,' which has decorated Seoul's autumn sky with fireworks for the past 20 years and has become a representative festival, will once again focus all administrative efforts to ensure it concludes safely this year." He added, "We ask that you not only follow safety guidelines during the event but also maintain order and follow the instructions of safety personnel when returning home after the festival."
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