South Korea: Incheon Queer Culture Festival to take place at Bupyeong Station, 13:00-18:00 Sept. 9

Event

Authorities will heighten security and impose traffic restrictions for the Incheon Queer Culture Festival in Incheon, Sept. 9. Attendees will gather around Bupyeong Station 13:00-18:00, while a section of participants will march along Bupyeong-daero, Buheung-ro, Jangje-ro, and Gyeongwon-daero, 16:00-17:00. Organizers claim that 3,000 people will join the event. Protests by groups opposed to the event have occurred during previous festivals, and remain possible during the Sept. 9 festival.

Police have announced increased security deployment to monitor the event and may disperse overly disruptive crowds. Rival demonstrations and related skirmishes cannot be ruled out. Authorities will impose road closures and traffic diversions around the event venue and along the march route, including the diversion of public buses. Increased congestion on alternate routes and increased demand for alternative transport are therefore likely throughout Sept. 9.

Advice

Exercise caution around the event venue due to possible skirmishes. If violence breaks out, leave the area immediately for a secure, non-government building. Confirm road status and public transport schedules. Use alternative routes to circumvent the event venue. Allow additional travel time to reach nearby destinations. Heed all official security and traffic advisories.