Seoul mayor says to review next year's marathons from 'scratch' after severe traffic disruptions

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced on Monday that next year's marathons in the city will be reviewed from scratch due to recurring traffic issues. The mayor's decision comes following a surge in marathon events over the past few years, transforming Seoul into a popular weekend destination for running enthusiasts. However, the increased frequency of races has led to mounting public complaints about severe traffic disruptions.

During a Sunday race, Oh addressed the major traffic disruptions caused by the event and promised a comprehensive overhaul for next year's marathons. In a Facebook post, Oh admitted that the city government failed to prevent the large-scale inconveniences resulting from the races. He vowed to reevaluate the routes and schedules for the upcoming marathon events from the ground up.

Oh revealed that the city government reduced the number of sponsored marathons from 15 in the previous year to just seven this year. However, the central government has significantly increased its involvement, sponsoring 23 races this year, a stark contrast to the single race in 2025. Despite the city's efforts to curb the number of races, Oh emphasized that running events are not subject to city approval and pledged to collaborate with the central government, police, and event organizers to minimize public inconveniences.