Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Fireworks set to light up Seoul sky on Saturday
This 2023 file photo shows the Seoul International Fireworks Festival taking place on Yeouido. The largest firework event of the year is set to illuminate the skies above Seoul for more than an hour on Saturday evening. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Jung Min-ho
The largest firework display of the year is set to illuminate the skies above Seoul for more than an hour on Saturday evening.
According to Hanwha, the event organizer, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday, the scale of the annual festival on Yeouido will be the largest ever.
Under the theme, “Light Up Your Dream,” three countries ― Korea, the U.S. and Japan ― will participate in the 90-minute show, scheduled to begin at 7:20 p.m.
Japanese team Hibikiya Omagari Fireworks will perform a 15-minute set titled “The Hanabi,” followed by Pyro Spectaculars’ “California Dreaming,” themed around freedom and dreams. Hanwha’s finale show, titled “Flashlight,” aims to deliver a “message of hope.”
As many as 1 million people are expected to visit the Yeouido Han River Park that day to see the spectacular display in person.
Ahead of the event, the city government said it will carry out a safety inspection, along with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
In case of an accident, officials plan to deploy ambulances, fire trucks and medical personnel to the venue.
Also, to minimize waste, extra trash bins will be placed near the site. About 1,200 volunteers, including Hanwha employees, will help clean up the area afterward.