By Lee Kyung-min
Some municipal governments are facing criticism from local residents after fireworks displays went ahead Saturday, causing citizens to fear that military strikes had started amid intensified tension between North and South Korea.
In regions located less than 10 kilometers from the demilitarized zone (DMZ), where loudspeakers are set up along the border, local governments went ahead with displays to celebrate the end of a number of festivals. One occurred at Lakeside Park in Gimpo at around 10 p.m., another at the end of the city music festival in Siheung at 9 p.m.
A brief firework show also took place at the end of a baseball game held the same night at Incheon Munhak Sports Complex in Nam-gu, Incheon.
Residents in the area blasted the decision to launch the fireworks.
"We were startled upon hearing the fireworks because we thought that North Korea had launched a strike," said a resident in Gimpo.
"People have been on constant alert following a government evacuation order on people in our city. What were they thinking holding fireworks amid this urgent situation?"
Gimpo city's official facebook page is filled with complaints denouncing the absentminded thinking behind Saturday night's event.
"People have been up all night worrying about possible shelling attacks. What dumb people pushed for this event without thinking about the possible impact?" read one comment.
Police, fire authorities, and Gimpo city said they received a barrage of calls soon after the fireworks were launched, asking whether the North had started military strikes.
"Many callers wanted to know whether the noise was from the shelling attacks by the North and whether their safety was being compromised," a police officer said.
"When we told them that the noise and lights were from the fireworks, people were relieved but lashed out at the event organizers blasting their inconsiderate decision," he added.
Officials from Siheung reportedly said they could not postpone the event because it was scheduled and a large crowd was in attendance.
The heightened cross-border tension came after North Korea fired shells at South Korea's western front on Thursday afternoon, and the South returned fire.
Later that day, the military issued an evacuation order to residents living in border areas including Incheon's Ganghwa Island and Paju and Yeoncheon of Gyeonggi Province.
As of Sunday, 57 people in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province remain evacuated while the rest, including residents of Gimpo, returned home, according to the provincial government.
So far, no injuries or material damage have been reported, according to military officials.
Some municipal governments are facing criticism from local residents after fireworks displays went ahead Saturday, causing citizens to fear that military strikes had started amid intensified tension between North and South Korea.
In regions located less than 10 kilometers from the demilitarized zone (DMZ), where loudspeakers are set up along the border, local governments went ahead with displays to celebrate the end of a number of festivals. One occurred at Lakeside Park in Gimpo at around 10 p.m., another at the end of the city music festival in Siheung at 9 p.m.
A brief firework show also took place at the end of a baseball game held the same night at Incheon Munhak Sports Complex in Nam-gu, Incheon.
Residents in the area blasted the decision to launch the fireworks.
"We were startled upon hearing the fireworks because we thought that North Korea had launched a strike," said a resident in Gimpo.
"People have been on constant alert following a government evacuation order on people in our city. What were they thinking holding fireworks amid this urgent situation?"
Gimpo city's official facebook page is filled with complaints denouncing the absentminded thinking behind Saturday night's event.
"People have been up all night worrying about possible shelling attacks. What dumb people pushed for this event without thinking about the possible impact?" read one comment.
Police, fire authorities, and Gimpo city said they received a barrage of calls soon after the fireworks were launched, asking whether the North had started military strikes.
"Many callers wanted to know whether the noise was from the shelling attacks by the North and whether their safety was being compromised," a police officer said.
"When we told them that the noise and lights were from the fireworks, people were relieved but lashed out at the event organizers blasting their inconsiderate decision," he added.
Officials from Siheung reportedly said they could not postpone the event because it was scheduled and a large crowd was in attendance.
The heightened cross-border tension came after North Korea fired shells at South Korea's western front on Thursday afternoon, and the South returned fire.
Later that day, the military issued an evacuation order to residents living in border areas including Incheon's Ganghwa Island and Paju and Yeoncheon of Gyeonggi Province.
As of Sunday, 57 people in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province remain evacuated while the rest, including residents of Gimpo, returned home, according to the provincial government.
So far, no injuries or material damage have been reported, according to military officials.
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