Seoul will partially close downtown roads on three weekend mornings in March to allow residents to exercise and enjoy leisure activities, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday.
The pilot program, dubbed “Shwium-Shwium Morning” – translating roughly to “Slow & Easy Morning” – will open a 5-kilometer round-trip course from Yeouido Park to Mapo Bridge via Yeouidaero for pedestrians, cyclists and others from 7 a.m. To 9 a.m. On March 14, 22, and 29.
The initiative, inspired by “Car Free Morning” events observed in Malaysia, aims to reclaim vehicle-centric spaces for public use, according to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. He previously directed a review of policies to prioritize pedestrian and exercise spaces in the city center.
Unlike competitive running events, “Shwium-Shwium Morning” is designed to be inclusive and non-competitive, welcoming participants who wish to walk, run, cycle, stroll with strollers, or walk their pets. The city will implement partial lane closures to minimize disruption to traffic flow, allowing vehicles to continue traveling in opposite lanes.
Advance registration will be required for the first event on March 14, with limited spaces available through the Seoul Sports Council website. On-site registration will similarly be offered. The March 22 and 29 sessions will be open to all without prior registration.
At Yeouido Park’s Culture Plaza, the start and finish point, participants can visit a mobile “Seoul Fitness Center” to receive free fitness assessments. Those who complete the assessment will receive 1,000 “Wrist Doctor Points” as part of the city’s health rewards program. Stretching zones and photo opportunities will also be available.
The city is operating the event under a “zero waste” initiative, encouraging participants to bring their own reusable water bottles and avoid single-use plastics. Water stations will be provided at the start and turnaround points.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is also preparing for a large influx of visitors on March 21 for a BTS concert at Gwanghwamun Square, launching a comprehensive safety and visitor management plan to accommodate the expected 260,000 attendees. The city has not yet announced how the concert preparations will affect the “Slow & Easy Morning” program.