"Touching, Filming Everywhere"...260,000 Flock to the "Cost-Effective Water Bomb" Han River Pool for 5,000 Won

Over 260,000 Visitors in Just Over a Month Since Opening
Rapid Surge in Crowds Brings a Rise in Negative Side Effects

The Han River Swimming Pool in Seoul, nicknamed the "cost-effective Water Bomb," has recently faced challenges due to incidents of sexual harassment, illegal filming, drinking, and smoking.

According to the Future Han River Headquarters of the Seoul Metropolitan Government on August 1, more than 260,000 visitors used the Han River swimming pools and water play parks since they opened on June 19, up until July 26. Four pools—Ttukseom, Yeouido, Jamsil, and Nanji—charge an affordable adult entrance fee of 5,000 won, are open until 10 p.m. (offering nighttime access), and have gained popularity on social media platforms with the addition of DJ performances, earning the nickname "cost-effective Water Bomb." As a result, the Yeouido Han River Swimming Pool saw around a 70% increase in usage compared to the same period last year (which was around 45,000 visitors). These facilities will remain open until August 30.

Yeouido Hangang Park Swimming Pool

However, the rising crowds have led to increased incidents of crime and public nuisance behaviors. Although the entire swimming pool area is designated as a no-smoking and no-alcohol zone, there have been multiple instances where people were caught secretly smoking instead of using the designated smoking area about 20 meters from the pool entrance, or bringing in and drinking alcohol. In addition, improper disposal of trash has quickly left the pool vicinity dirty. It is common to see leftover food waste or containers not disposed of after eating on sunbeds or personal mats at the Han River pools.

For the Yeouido Han River Park Swimming Pool, 12 lifeguards are stationed on weekdays and 15 on Fridays and weekends, but lifeguards do not have the legal authority to prevent drinking, smoking, or unauthorized dumping of trash. There were even testimonies that occasionally lifeguards who try to intervene face abusive language in response.

Moreover, cases of sexual harassment and illegal filming have also emerged. The Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul apprehended a man on July 17 for secretly filming a female visitor at the Yeouido Han River Swimming Pool and is currently investigating. Reports have appeared on social media from victims stating, "There were people touching bodies or pulling down bikini straps in the crowded area, but I couldn't identify who it was." There have also been repeated complaints that videos recorded without consent in short-form video content have been circulated.

The Future Han River Headquarters of the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to expand banners and announcements to prevent illegal filming and to enhance patrols by public safety officers. In addition, 136 real-time monitoring CCTV cameras installed this year will be used to respond to dangerous situations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.