Amid heightened awareness of crowded events following the Itaewon disaster, the city of Seoul is deploying 1,000 security guards, 60% more than in previous years, to manage the bell event at Bosingak New Year's Eve.
For two hours before and after the event, the subway passes through Jonggak Station, which is the closest to Bosingak, without stopping, and the roads in the area are completely closed.
The city has announced safety management measures for New Year's Eve bells that contain these contents.
According to the city, the bell-ringing event at Bosingak New Year's Eve this year will be held from 11:00 pm on the 31st to 0:30 the next day.
The year-end bell-ringing event at Bosingak is the first time in three years since 2019 that the city expects 100,000 people to attend this event.
First of all, the city plans to inject a total of 957 safety management personnel with Jongno-gu, Seoul Transportation Corporation, and Seoul Facilities Corporation.
A total of 104 safety officers are on duty at six nearby subway stations, including Jonggak Station and Gwanghwamun Station, five times more than usual.
The police and fire departments are also separately staffed.
Subway Line 1 trains pass through Jonggak Station without stopping for two hours from 11:00 pm on the 31st, and the entrance to Jonggak Station is completely closed while the non-stop is in progress.
In the past, if there was a concern about a safety accident due to crowds, the pass was made without stopping, but this is the first time that the stop is stopped for two hours.
The city also plans to control vehicle entry on surrounding roads such as Jongno, Ujeongguk-ro, and Cheonggyecheon-ro from 9:00 pm on the 31st to 1:30 am the next day.
At the intersection of Bosingak, four electronic display boards are installed to distribute the number of people, and a cold shelter is operated in preparation for cold weather.
Between 6:00 pm and 1:00 am the next day, special crackdowns are made on parking and stopping violations in the Bosingak area.
Subway and bus service hours will also be extended for citizens returning home after the event.
Lines 1 to 9, Ui Sinseol Line, and Sillim Line all extend service until 2:00 a.m. based on arrival at the terminal station.
Intra-city buses of 40 routes that pass around Bosingak depart from the bus stop near Bosingak around 2:00 a.m. on the day after the event.
At Jongno Tower near Bosingak, the Seoul City-Police-Fire Joint Field Command Center will be set up.
11 fire trucks and 9 ambulances are deployed throughout the venue, and emergency passages for ambulances are also operated.
In addition, from 12:00 noon on the 31st to 8:00 am the next day, 14 Ttareungi rental stations, including those next to Jongno-gu Office and Jonggak Station, are temporarily closed, and returns of personal mobility devices are prohibited in the Bosingak area.
(Photo = Yonhap News)