Han River freezes early this winter amid continued cold wave

The freezing of the Han River refers to the point at which an imaginary rectangular area, designated 100 meters upstream between the second and fourth piers of the Hangang Bridge connecting Dongjak-gu and Yongsan-gu in Seoul, is completely covered with ice so that the water is no longer visible, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. This part of the Han River is seen frozen in this photo taken Saturday. Yonhap

The Han River in Seoul was declared frozen Saturday by weather authorities for the first time this winter as a cold snap has continued for days.

The first freezing of the river for this winter season was observed on the river running through the capital city seven days earlier than in previous years, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

According to the KMA, the river is officially declared frozen when it has thick ice in a 100-meter-long area between the Han River Bridge's second and fourth piers. The bridge links Seoul's Yongsan Ward and Dongjak Ward.

In previous winters, the first freeze on the river was declared around Jan. 10. Last winter, the Han River was first recorded frozen Feb. 9.