The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will ban all Han River cruises within Seoul City limits for six months to Hyundai Marine Leisure Co., Ltd., which went ahead with the operation of the Han River Korean Wave Fireworks Cruise on the 29th (Sunday) despite the city’s request to cancel the event amid the national mourning atmosphere. In addition, the city will also suspend all cooperative projects with Hyundai Marine Leisure Co., Ltd.
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▲[Korea Today] Photo of the Han River Korean Wave Fireworks Cruise that operated in the summer of 2024 © Reporter Byun A-rong |
Hyundai Marine & Leisure Co., Ltd. operated the fireworks cruise at 18:30 despite being asked by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to cancel the event at around 14:40 on the 29th (Sunday) following the Jeju Air passenger plane accident. As public opinion grew negative, the company issued an official apology on its website that evening.
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▲Full text of apology posted on the [Korean Today] website © Reporter Byun A-rong |
Accordingly, Hyundai Marine Leisure Co., Ltd. will not be able to operate cruise ships on the Han River Gyeongin Ara Waterway ~ Wonhyo Bridge section until June 2025.
The city also stated that Hyundai Marine Leisure Co., Ltd. had been cooperating with the operation and promotion of the Hangang Korean Wave Fireworks Cruise, which invites underprivileged people for free (10% of the capacity), but since it pushed ahead with the operation while ignoring the city’s opinion, the city has decided to take strong action, deeming that it can no longer maintain a cooperative project based on mutual trust.
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