A sketch from Itaewon's Halloween scene this year, with the weekend coinciding for the first time in 4 years130,000 converge on Itaewon, 30,000 on Hongdae... No major incidents or accidentsA lane of remembrance flowing through streets... Composed atmosphere and mature civic consciousness
[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Ju-sung = Crowds are gathering in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 31st, Halloween Day. Police announced plans to deploy approximately 7,800 personnel to 28 major crowd-concentrated areas across the country. Additionally, from 6 p.m. on the 31st, Halloween Day, vehicle traffic will be completely controlled from the Itaewon 119 Center intersection to Noksapyeong Station plaza. Police will also strengthen screening and searches for those carrying mock firearms or bladed weapons under the guise of Halloween costumes or wearing police uniforms, which are prohibited by law. 2026.10.31. park7691@newsis.com /Newsis[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Ju-sung = On the afternoon of the 31st, Halloween Day, citizens are attaching memos to the Lane of Memory and Safety near Itaewon Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Police announced plans to deploy approximately 7,800 personnel to 28 major crowd-concentrated areas across the country. Additionally, from 6 p.m. on the 31st, Halloween Day, vehicle traffic will be completely controlled from the Itaewon 119 Center intersection to Noksapyeong Station plaza. Police will also strengthen screening and searches for those carrying mock firearms or bladed weapons under the guise of Halloween costumes or wearing police uniforms, which are prohibited by law. 2026.10.31. park7691@newsis /Newsis[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Ju-sung = On the afternoon of the 31st, Halloween Day, citizens are moving in front of the Lane of Memory and Safety near Itaewon Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Police announced plans to deploy approximately 7,800 personnel to 28 major crowd-concentrated areas across the country. Additionally, from 6 p.m. on the 31st, Halloween Day, vehicle traffic will be completely controlled from the Itaewon 119 Center intersection to Noksapyeong Station plaza. Police will also strengthen screening and searches for those carrying mock firearms or bladed weapons under the guise of Halloween costumes or wearing police uniforms, which are prohibited by law. 2026.10.31. park7691@newsis /Newsis[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Ju-sung = Crowds are gathering in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 31st, Halloween Day. Police announced plans to deploy approximately 7,800 personnel to 28 major crowd-concentrated areas across the country. Additionally, from 6 p.m. on the 31st, Halloween Day, vehicle traffic will be completely controlled from the Itaewon 119 Center intersection to Noksapyeong Station plaza. Police will also strengthen screening and searches for those carrying mock firearms or bladed weapons under the guise of Halloween costumes or wearing police uniforms, which are prohibited by law. 2026.10.31. park7691@newsis.com /Newsis[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Ju-sung = Crowds are gathering in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 31st, Halloween Day. Police announced plans to deploy approximately 7,800 personnel to 28 major crowd-concentrated areas across the country. Additionally, from 6 p.m. on the 31st, Halloween Day, vehicle traffic will be completely controlled from the Itaewon 119 Center intersection to Noksapyeong Station plaza. Police will also strengthen screening and searches for those carrying mock firearms or bladed weapons under the guise of Halloween costumes or wearing police uniforms, which are prohibited by law. 2026.10.31. park7691@newsis.com /Newsis
On October 31st evening, for the first time in 4 years since the October 29 Itaewon tragedy, the weekend coincided with Halloween Day, drawing a maximum of 130,000 people to Itaewon in Seoul and approximately 30,000 to the Hongdae area.
Despite the large crowds, the scene displayed a distinctly different 'aesthetic of order' compared to previous years. Throughout the narrow alleyways around the Hamilton Hotel, guide barriers and safety fences were installed, and following guidance from police and district office personnel, citizens maintained an orderly 'right-hand traffic' formation.
As crowd density increased, portions of Itaewon-ro were blocked off and converted into additional pedestrian space. With improved traffic flow, citizens were able to safely enjoy the festive atmosphere. Meanwhile, at the memorial lane near the entrance to the alleyway where the tragedy occurred, visitors continued to pay their respects, removing their costume masks to offer flowers and moments of silence.
![[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Ju-sung = Crowds are gathering in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 31st, Halloween Day. Police announced plans to deploy approximately 7,800 personnel to 28 major crowd-concentrated areas across the country. Additionally, from 6 p.m. on the 31st, Halloween Day, vehicle traffic will be completely controlled from the Itaewon 119 Center intersection to Noksapyeong Station plaza. Police will also strengthen screening and searches for those carrying mock firearms or bladed weapons under the guise of Halloween costumes or wearing police uniforms, which are prohibited by law. 2026.10.31. park7691@newsis.com /Newsis](https://www.suwonilbo.kr/img/write/pe60605175ad49b2399fc5ab9a92adc6692790854.jpg)
![[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Ju-sung = On the afternoon of the 31st, Halloween Day, citizens are attaching memos to the Lane of Memory and Safety near Itaewon Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Police announced plans to deploy approximately 7,800 personnel to 28 major crowd-concentrated areas across the country. Additionally, from 6 p.m. on the 31st, Halloween Day, vehicle traffic will be completely controlled from the Itaewon 119 Center intersection to Noksapyeong Station plaza. Police will also strengthen screening and searches for those carrying mock firearms or bladed weapons under the guise of Halloween costumes or wearing police uniforms, which are prohibited by law. 2026.10.31. park7691@newsis /Newsis](https://www.suwonilbo.kr/img/write/p07075f0e26166c4af57d3dbfb73b0e8aa0ab9cbc.jpg)
![[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Ju-sung = On the afternoon of the 31st, Halloween Day, citizens are moving in front of the Lane of Memory and Safety near Itaewon Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Police announced plans to deploy approximately 7,800 personnel to 28 major crowd-concentrated areas across the country. Additionally, from 6 p.m. on the 31st, Halloween Day, vehicle traffic will be completely controlled from the Itaewon 119 Center intersection to Noksapyeong Station plaza. Police will also strengthen screening and searches for those carrying mock firearms or bladed weapons under the guise of Halloween costumes or wearing police uniforms, which are prohibited by law. 2026.10.31. park7691@newsis /Newsis](https://www.suwonilbo.kr/img/write/p9419ad93318bdea3ee1160f162bcd0a7db930f1f.jpg)
![[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Ju-sung = Crowds are gathering in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 31st, Halloween Day. Police announced plans to deploy approximately 7,800 personnel to 28 major crowd-concentrated areas across the country. Additionally, from 6 p.m. on the 31st, Halloween Day, vehicle traffic will be completely controlled from the Itaewon 119 Center intersection to Noksapyeong Station plaza. Police will also strengthen screening and searches for those carrying mock firearms or bladed weapons under the guise of Halloween costumes or wearing police uniforms, which are prohibited by law. 2026.10.31. park7691@newsis.com /Newsis](https://www.suwonilbo.kr/img/write/pb1826a3b32aeef10a5c7e699559be2981eef7cdf.jpg)
![[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Ju-sung = Crowds are gathering in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 31st, Halloween Day. Police announced plans to deploy approximately 7,800 personnel to 28 major crowd-concentrated areas across the country. Additionally, from 6 p.m. on the 31st, Halloween Day, vehicle traffic will be completely controlled from the Itaewon 119 Center intersection to Noksapyeong Station plaza. Police will also strengthen screening and searches for those carrying mock firearms or bladed weapons under the guise of Halloween costumes or wearing police uniforms, which are prohibited by law. 2026.10.31. park7691@newsis.com /Newsis](https://www.suwonilbo.kr/img/write/p575d39e091bad8d7e54716542f60cd49635812ec.jpg)
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