Fireworks for one million spectators tonight, Seoul subway station to skip trains for three hours

More than one million people are expected to gather around Seoul’s Han River on Oct. 5 for the highlight of the Seoul International Fireworks Festival. The main fireworks show will run from 8 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. around Yeouido Han River Park.

The festival has been moved forward by about three weeks this year because of the timing of the Chuseok holiday period. Hanwha Group, which hosts the event, plans to stream the fireworks live on its official Hanwha TV YouTube channel.

Authorities are imposing extensive transport controls. Yeouinaru Station on Subway Line 5, expected to receive the heaviest crowds, will be bypassed by trains for three hours, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Yeouidong-ro, between the southern end of Mapo Bridge and the 63 Building, will close to all vehicles from 3 p.m. until midnight.

The route between Parc1 Tower and the Yeouido Community Service Center intersection will be open only selectively to residents and event vehicles. Both the road and pedestrian path on Wonhyo Bridge were closed from 9 a.m. and will remain restricted until 3 a.m. on Oct. 6. The parking lot at Yeouido Han River Park near the 63 Building will also close until midnight.

The crowds will affect deliveries as well. Woowa Youths, which handles Baemin’s logistics, plans to monitor traffic and adjust delivery restrictions from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Services may become difficult in Yeouido-dong and nearby parts of Yongsan, Mapo and Dongjak districts. Coupang Eats and Yogiyo also warned that delivery and pickup could temporarily stop in parts of Yeouido.