[Anchor]
With the recent "running boom," marathon events across downtown Seoul have surged. While the intentions are commendable, citizens face mounting inconvenience as roads throughout the city center are closed time and again. Amid criticism that government ministries have indiscriminately granted official sponsorships to these events, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has taken extraordinary measures.
Reporter Ha Jeongyeon has this exclusive report.
[Reporter]
Today (October 5) alone, during the National Foundation Day holiday weekend, three marathon events took place across Seoul, including in Yeouido, Mapo, and Gangnam.
Roads in this area remain restricted due to a marathon drawing more than 10,000 participants.
Let us walk around and listen to what citizens have to say.
[Ko Young-seo / Seoul Resident: "Buses are being detoured, but elderly people often don't know about that. Also, (because of road closures,) half a block is completely taken over just as changing rooms for marathon runners."]
[Lee Mi-so / Seoul Resident: "Not being able to get around easily was the most stressful part. (I think it would be good) to cut down on how often they are held."]
Last year, 95 marathons were held after applying for venue use permits with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, a more than fivefold increase compared to 2022. The number of events requiring police traffic control also rose from 7 to 28.
More than 1,000 complaints have been filed with the Seoul city government, citing frustrations such as "marathon runners are not the only ones with the right to enjoy themselves" and "some people have to work on weekends."
The number of police officers deployed for downtown Seoul marathons also jumped sharply, from 306 in 2021 to 2,712 last year.
Police provide traffic control support only for marathons that carry the official "sponsorship title" of central government ministries or local authorities. According to data obtained by SBS, 11 of the 14 marathons held in downtown Seoul in the first half of this year were sponsored by central ministries, prompting concerns that sponsored marathons are being handed out indiscriminately.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it aims to avoid holding competitions in the city center. It was also confirmed to have sent official letters to several central ministries asking them to review restricting their sponsorships, citing recent controversies surrounding marathons using ministry names.
Police have also submitted an opinion to the National Assembly stating that a legal basis is needed, voicing concern that excessive deployment of officers could create voids in public safety.
[Jung Jun-ho / Member of the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee (Democratic Party): "Concerns are now being raised that citizen inconvenience has reached a breaking point due to traffic closures repeated every weekend."]
Some also suggest that South Korea should examine overseas examples where event organizers are required to cover police overtime pay for traffic control, in line with the "causer-pays principle."
Video by Joo Yong-jin | Video Editing by Choi Hye-ran | Graphics by Kang Yoon-jung and Lee Ga-jin
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.