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Seoul city to switch on extra lighting on bridges

March 22, 2016
The Banpo Bridge (Courtesy of City of Seoul)

FILE — The Banpo Bridge (Courtesy of City of Seoul)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — The city of Seoul said Tuesday it will turn on extra external lighting on five bridges across the Han River this year in a bid to liven up the riverscape and attract more tourists.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said light displays will be turned on at five bridges — Hannam, Yeongdong, Jamsil, Haengju and Dongjak — where it can provide more attraction for visitors.

The lights on the Haengju and Dongjak bridges will be turned on in May ahead of China’s labor day and Japan’s golden week holiday. The other three will be turned on in October.

The municipal government said it is planning to finish the installation of the beautification lighting on the Han River Railway Bridge by next year.

Currently, only 12 of 29 Han River bridges turn on lights at night, following the government’s policy to save energy and cut cost.

The government said it will install extra lighting on existing displays to add historical and cultural meaning.

The lights which are normally lit from after sunset till 11 p.m. will be operated more flexibly based on seasons and circumstances, the government said.

“Landscape lighting on the bridges gives pleasure to citizens and can help attract foreigners at a comparatively low cost,” said city official Kim Joon-kee.