Labor Day, Large-Scale Rallies Expected to Cause Traffic Congestion in Downtown Seoul

by Yoo Byeongdon

Published 28 Apr.2023 08:59(KST)

Request for Vehicle Detours and Use of Public Transportation on Tongillo, Sajikro, Namdaemunro, etc.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 28th that a large-scale rally will be held in downtown Seoul on May 1st, Labor Day, resulting in the control of some roads in the downtown and Yeouido areas.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) will hold the main rally from 2 p.m. at Donghwa Duty Free Shop to Seoul City Hall, and then march in three directions (City Hall → Seoul Station → Samgakji Station, City Hall → Jongno → Employment and Labor Office, City Hall → Gwanghwamun Samgeori → Anguk Station). The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) will also hold a rally on Yeouidaero (Mapo Bridge → Seoul Bridge).

On May 1st, Labor Day, police officers are managing traffic at the Gwanghwamun intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where large-scale rallies were held across the country. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, during the march of the World Labor Day rally held at Seoul Plaza, vehicle traffic will be simultaneously restricted on the entire lane of Sejong-daero and up to Jongno 4-ga in the direction of the march. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The police plan to deploy traffic officers around the rally and march routes as severe traffic congestion is expected in the downtown areas of Sejong-daero, Jongno, and Euljiro, aiming to minimize inconvenience to citizens.

Accordingly, variable lanes will be operated around Sejong-daero, and traffic management such as vehicle detours will be implemented at heavily congested intersections.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official urged, "Please use public transportation such as the subway as much as possible, and if you must use a vehicle, it is necessary to check traffic information in advance."

Traffic conditions in Seoul can be checked via △ Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency traffic information hotline △ Comprehensive Traffic Information Center website △ KakaoTalk 'Seoul Police Traffic Information'.