Seoul Plaza ice skating rink to open Friday

Citizens enjoy ice skating at Seoul Plaza, Dec. 25, 2022. Korea Times photo by Choi Ju-yeon

The seasonal iconic ice skating rink at Seoul Plaza is set to open on Friday until Feb. 11 next year. A staple annual program in Seoul, the ice rink has been opened annually since its inaugural operation in 2004, except for the COVID-19 period.

Operating hours for the ice rink are from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Sundays to Thursdays, and extended until 11 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.

The entrance fee remains unchanged at 1,000 won ($0.8), maintaining its initial rate since 2004. Safety supplies such as helmets and knee pads will be provided free of charge. Lockers will be available with a corresponding fee.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday at 5:40 p.m. The event will feature a performance by the percussion group Rapercussion, followed by a figure skating performance. Distinguished guests, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, will be in attendance to deliver congratulatory messages. Visitors on the opening day can use the ice rink for free.

This year, under the theme of winter festival, the city will set up 24 small pavilions around the ice rink, aiming to create a more enjoyable and secure environment for skaters.

A graphic image of the ice rink to be set up on Seoul Plaza for operation starting Friday / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Various programs are planned throughout the season, aligning with holidays such as Christmas, New Year's Eve and the holiday season of the Lunar New Year. Coinciding with the 2023 Seoul Lantern Festival that runs through Jan. 21, the city plans to enhance the experience with light sculptures and illuminations on the ice rink.

Besides ice skating, visitors will be able to enjoy various other activities, including mini Olympics, e-sports, magic shows, holographic performances and traditional games, with different programs offered during different periods through the winter.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government anticipates a rise in the number of visitors compared to last year's 139,614, which averaged 2,585 visitors per day. To ensure safety, medical personnel will be on-site at all times, and the ice rink will undergo daily maintenance to guarantee a safe skating environment.

As an outdoor skating rink situated in the middle of the city, operations may be suspended if ultrafine dust levels exceed a certain threshold in order to prioritize public health. Real-time air pollution levels will be available on the website.

“Positioned as a unique hub for experiencing winter in the center of the city, we expect Seoul Plaza ice rink to garner even greater affection," said Kim Young-hwan, the director general of the Tourism and Sports Bureau at the city government.