Traffic controls in parts of central Seoul during National Foundation Day holiday... Rallies and Gangnam Festival affect traffic

[Financial News] Major roads in central Seoul, Gangnam and Yeouido will be subject to traffic controls from Oct. 3 to 5, as large-scale rallies and various events are scheduled throughout the National Foundation Day holiday.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said on Oct. 2 that it would impose traffic controls on major roads in Seoul, including Sejong-daero and Dosan-daero, during the holiday.
First, the Liberty Unification Party (LUP) will hold a large-scale rally on Oct. 3 from 1 p.m. along the section of Sejong-daero between Donghwa Duty Free Shop and Daehanmun Gate. Rally participants are scheduled to march from 4 p.m. via Saemunan-ro and Jihamun-ro to Shingyo Intersection.
On the same day, the People Power Party, Cheonmanin Undong Bonbu, Jeonguk Gukguk Dongji Yeonhaphoe and Palseutain Yeondae, among other groups, will hold rallies and marches between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. in various downtown areas, including Sungnyemun Gate, Seoul Station and Bosingak. Traffic congestion is therefore expected on major downtown roads, including those in Jongno.
The 2026 Gangnam Festival will take place from Oct. 3 to 5, centered on Dosan-daero. In connection with the event, all lanes in both directions along an approximately 500-meter section from Dosan Park Intersection to Hakdong Intersection will be closed from 12:00 a.m. on Oct. 3 until 5 a.m. on Oct. 5.
In particular, a large-scale street parade is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Oct. 3, the first day of the event, along an approximately 730-meter section from Cheongdam Intersection to Hakdong Intersection. Police plan to temporarily restrict vehicles traveling north or south through Cheongdam Intersection and Hakdong Intersection before and after the parade.
Some roads in Yeouido will also be closed to vehicles because of marathon events. The 2026 Run Your Way Seoul Race and the Hangang Seoul Marathon will be held, respectively, on Oct. 4 and 5, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Marathon participants are scheduled to start at Yeouido Park, run via Seogang Bridge and Gwangheungchang Station, and return to Yeouido Park. Accordingly, the section of Yeouiseo-ro from the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) to the southern end of Seogang Bridge will be completely closed to vehicles from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Seoul police will operate reversible lanes around rally and event venues and manage traffic through vehicle detours to minimize inconvenience to residents. A total of 209 personnel, including traffic officers, will be deployed downtown, while 753 personnel will be assigned to Gangnam.
A police official urged residents, "As traffic congestion is expected in downtown Seoul and Gangnam during the holiday, please use the subway whenever possible. If you drive, check traffic information in advance."

[email protected] Kim Ye-ji Reporter