Seoul braces for crowds as fireworks festival returns

Hours before the first fireworks were set to light up Seoul's night sky, crowds carrying picnic mats, food and folding chairs began filling Yeouido Hangang Park on Saturday. The annual spectacle transformed not only the riverside but also nearby subway stations, restaurants and convenience stores as the city prepared for one of its biggest nighttime events. This year's festival features fireworks displays presented by South Korea, the United States and the United Kingdom. The festival is being h