(LEAD) Fireworks show lights up Seoul skies

SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's largest annual fireworks display took place on Saturday, illuminating the night sky over the city's Yeouido district. Hosted by Hanwha Group, the Seoul International Fireworks Festival drew an estimated 530,000 spectators. This year's event kicked off about three weeks earlier than usual, coinciding with the Chuseok fall harvest holiday, which occurs later in the month.

The theme for this year's show was "Find Your Light," and it featured fireworks teams from South Korea, the United States, and Britain.

The festival began at 8 p.m. with a pre-festival event, marking the first of its kind for the annual celebration. The British team launched the night with fireworks synced to the song "Soda Pop" from the Netflix series KPop Demon Hunters. The United States team followed suit with "O Fortuna" playing in the background. South Korean fireworks concluded the night, drawing cheers from the tens of thousands in attendance.

A total of 6,800 personnel were deployed to manage crowds and handle emergencies during the festival. Safety measures included a safety headquarters, operational command centers, and 45 patrol boats on the river. The city government, in collaboration with various agencies, monitored crowd density and implemented traffic controls, closing Wonhyo Bridge and Yeouidong-ro to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.