Fireworks show to light up Seoul skies

Seoul will be illuminated by the largest annual fireworks display in the city on Saturday as part of the Seoul International Fireworks Festival. Organized by Hanwha Group, the event begins at 8 p.m. in the Yeouido district. This year's celebration occurs three weeks earlier than in past years, primarily due to Chuseok, the fall harvest holiday, which arrives later in the month.

The theme for this year's festival is "Find Your Light." Teams from three nations - Korea's Hanwha Corp., the United States, and Britain - will showcase their fireworks skills. This year marks the first pre-festival event in the festival's history, launched in 2000.

To accommodate the anticipated large crowds and potential emergencies, approximately 6,800 personnel will be deployed for crowd management and emergency response. The Seoul city government has also established a safety headquarters in collaboration with the police, fire departments, Hanwha, and other relevant agencies. These authorities will monitor both crowds and traffic in the vicinity of the event site.

At six locations across Yeouido and Ichon neighborhoods, operational command centers will serve as emergency medical stations. Moreover, 45 patrol boats will be utilized to ensure safety along the river, underscoring the comprehensive approach taken to ensure a secure and enjoyable fireworks display for all attendees.