Winter Festivals Across South Korea Face Cancellations Amid Emergency Situation

The city of Seoul has canceled the opening ceremony of the '2024 Winter Festa,' originally scheduled for December 13. This decision comes as the atmosphere surrounding the event has been affected by the ongoing emergency situation, making it difficult to create a festive mood. Many local governments are now reconsidering their winter festivals, with some opting to cancel or scale back their events altogether.

The '2024 Winter Festa' was set to be the largest winter festival in Seoul, with plans for a grand opening that included lighting ceremonies, classical performances, and media art displays. However, just days before the event, officials decided that hosting a lavish ceremony would be inappropriate given the current climate. A city official remarked, "Holding a glamorous opening in this situation would seem tone-deaf."

Additionally, the highly anticipated 'Squid Game 2 Parade' has been put on hold due to location issues. The parade was supposed to take place on December 21, with around 500 participants marching from Seoul Plaza to Gwanghwamun. However, the route intersects with areas where protests against President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment are frequently held, raising safety concerns. An official stated, "If a safety incident occurs due to mixing with protestors, who would take responsibility?"

In Daegu, the 'Apsan Christmas Festival' scheduled for December 21-22 will see significant reductions in scale, including the cancellation of a planned parade involving local residents. Similarly, the 'Suseong Light Art Festival' in Suseong District, set to begin on December 23, is also under review for potential cancellation.

Local governments that had hoped to attract winter tourists through these festivals are now facing tough decisions. Haeundae District in Busan has canceled the lighting ceremony for the 'Haeundae Light Festival,' which was set for December 14. This marks the first time in 11 years that the ceremony has been called off, as the winter season typically sees a drop in beach visitors, impacting local businesses. An official expressed concern, stating, "While the festival will still take place, we worry that few people will attend."

In Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, the 'Christmas Carol Concert' planned for December 14 has also been scrapped. This event was intended to create a festive atmosphere at the Suncheon Bay National Garden during the off-peak season.

Inje County, known for its annual ice fishing festival in January, has yet to finalize its schedule for this year. An official mentioned, "With the lake not freezing over, we are anxious. Even if we hold the festival, it doesn't seem like people will come and spend money as they usually do. It looks like we may not be able to hold the festival this year."

Local festivals are not only a source of enjoyment for residents but also play a crucial role in boosting local economies. With the emergency situation leading to cancellations, there are concerns about the economic impact on communities. Professor Jeong Ran-soo from Hanyang University noted, "Winter festivals are one of the few ways regions can attract tourists during the off-season. Canceling or scaling back is not the solution."

Despite the challenges, some local governments are determined to proceed with their festivals. Gyeongbuk Province announced on December 10 that all festivals and events organized by the province and municipalities will continue as planned. Similarly, districts in Seoul, including Seongbuk, Gangnam, and Seocho, have decided to go ahead with their scheduled December events.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which provides budget support for local festivals, has urged municipalities to carry on with their planned events, emphasizing the significant impact a single festival can have on local economies.