Seoul opens pools and water parks as city swelters

A water slide and pool are installed at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Thursday for the upcoming 2023 Seoul Summer Beach festival, set to open for 17 days from Friday. [SEOUL TOURISM ORGANIZATION]

Temporary water parks and pools will open across Seoul in the coming days as temperatures soar.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organization announced Thursday that the so-called 2023 Seoul Summer Beach festival will be held for 17 days from Friday at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul.

An 8-meter (26-foot) high water slide and a large inflatable swimming pool will be installed behind the landmark statue of King Sejong the Great.

The pool can accommodate up to 250 people at once, and a total of 2,000 people will be admitted each day on a first-come, first-served basis. Dressing rooms, drying facilities, tables and seats will be set up nearby, and so will parasols, sunbeds and food trucks.

At World Cup Park in Mapo District, western Seoul, a separate water festival hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government will open for four days from Aug. 4, featuring temporary pools and games.

From Sunday to Aug. 17, the Songpa District Office will install five temporary pools at Peace Plaza in Olympic Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul.

In Yongsan District, central Seoul, pools and slides will be installed at Hyochang Park and Eungbong Neighborhood Park, where three to 13-year-olds will enjoy free entrance.

Public pools have also opened at Seoul National University of Science and Technology in Nowon District, northern Seoul, and Nakseongdae Park in Gwanak District, southern Seoul.

Several water gun festivals have been planned as well.

In Gangseo District, western Seoul, a water gun festival featuring magic shows and bubble performances will open for two days from Aug. 12 at Banghwa Community Park.

In Dongjak District, southern Seoul, a water gun festival for children will be held on Aug. 12 at a football field next to the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market.

The local government offices of Jungnang District and Gwangjin District in eastern Seoul will host their own water festivals next month.

In Gangnam District, southern Seoul, a temporary pool for adults and another for children have been installed at Yulhyeon Park and Irown Eco Park, respectively.

Dasan Children’s Park and Hullyeonwon Park in Jung District, central Seoul, will open temporary pools next month.

The Korea Meteorological Administration announced Wednesday that this year’s monsoon season is officially over, though rainy days will likely linger. Weather officials particularly warned of potential typhoons in early August.

This year’s monsoon season lasted for 31 days, similar to previous years. The total amount of rainfall during that period was 648.7 millimeters (25.5 inches), making it the third largest ever recorded since the weather agency began keeping track of the data in 1973.

BY LEE SUNG-EUN [lee.sungeun@joongang.co.kr]