Yeouido Fireworks Festival Information on increased operation and local operation of lines 5 and 9

Why are people flocking to the subway?

On the day of the fireworks festival, major roads entering Yeouido are closed, and most bus routes passing through the event section also take detours. As people who normally use buses or cars flock to the subway, the number of passengers on Lines 5 and 9 increases significantly more than usual on weekends.

In addition, ship traffic using the Han River is often not operating on those days, so the subway is actually the most reliable means of public transportation to access Yeouido. For this reason, Seoul Transportation Corporation separately adjusts the train operation plan on the day of the event.

Increased operation of Lines 5 and 9

At the time of the event on September 27, 2025, Seoul Transportation Corporation increased the operation of Line 5 by 18 times and Line 9 by 62 times to prepare for the increase in demand for access to Yeouido. In particular, it is noteworthy that Line 9, which passes through both Yeouido Station and Yeouinaru Station, had a much larger increase in traffic.

The increased operation is achieved by narrowing the spacing between trains and reducing waiting time. However, even if an increase is provided, the platform itself can be very crowded during certain times before and after the main fireworks show, so it is still important to move around with plenty of time.

Line 9, Dangsan Station to Noryangjin Station section converted to local service

Line 9 is well known as a line that operates both express and local trains. However, on the day of the fireworks festival, there was a case where all trains between Dangsan Station and Noryangjin Station were operated as local trains without express services from 3 p.m. until the last train.

The conversion to local trains can be seen as a measure to prevent the concentration of congestion that occurs when express trains pass by major stations such as Yeouido Station or Dangsan Station, and to ensure even boarding and disembarkation at all stations within the section. Passengers who normally use express trains should take into account that the travel time may increase during this time.

Safety personnel will also increase by nearly four times the usual amount.

It is reported that in the 2025 event, the number of safety personnel deployed at 17 stations near Yeouido will approximately quadruple from the usual 66 to 306. Apart from adjusting train operations, this is a measure to control crowds at sites such as platforms, stairs, and entrances.

The increase in safety personnel also means that the level of congestion in that section that day is incomparable to usual. The safest and fastest way is to move under the guidance of a guide.

Will it be operated at a similar level in 2026?

The number of events, the time to switch to local routes, and the size of safety personnel are plans that are separately established by the Seoul Transportation Corporation and the Seoul Metropolitan Government each year depending on the expected crowd and scale of the event. The 2025 example is the most recent data available, but details may vary for 2026.

In particular, in 2026, the event schedule has been moved forward by three weeks compared to previous years and the demand for foreign tourists is also reflected, so there is a possibility that the increase plan will be adjusted depending on the expected crowd size. It is best to check the exact 2026 operation plan through the official notice of the Seoul Transportation Corporation when the event is imminent.

How to Use This Information to Plan Your Move

If you are planning to travel between Dangsan Station and Noryangjin Station using Line 9, please consider in advance that the time required for the local train may increase compared to the express train during the transition time. Even if there are increased trains, the platform itself can be extremely crowded for 30 minutes to an hour before and after the main fireworks show, regardless of the interval between trains.

If possible, it may actually be faster to leave a little time and move after the crowds have dissipated to some extent, rather than right after 9:10 PM when the main fireworks show ends.

• Allow time for the section between Dangsan Station and Noryangjin Station on Line 9, considering the possibility of conversion to local service.
• Please note that even during extended operations, it may be extremely crowded before and after the main fireworks show.
• Prioritize following control instructions from on-site safety personnel
• Please reconfirm the exact increase plan for 2026 through an official notice as the event approaches.