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Seoul Suspends Outdoor Tourism Services After Highest-Level Heat Wave Warning

Following the city's first highest-level heat wave emergency warning of the year, Seoul has canceled or moved outdoor cultural, tourism, and youth programs indoors.

Clara Yun · published Sat 15 Aug 2026, 07:44 KST · version 1

A crowded daytime street in Seoul's Myeong-dong shopping district lined with clothing and cosmetics stores and covered in colorful signage.

What this means for travelers

Travelers should note that outdoor cultural, tourism, and youth programs in Seoul, including mobile tourism information booths at Myeong-dong, Bukchon, and Namdaemun and cultural tourism guide programs at major attractions, have been suspended or moved indoors due to the highest-level heat wave warning. Six tourism information centers and seven permanent tourist information centers remain open as usual.

Heat Wave Warning Timeline

A heat wave warning has been in effect in Seoul since July 23.
The city issued its first highest-level heat wave emergency warning of the year on August 4 at 11 AM.

Suspended or Modified Services

Outdoor cultural activities, tourism programs, and youth programs have been canceled or moved indoors.
Mobile tourism information booths at eight locations, including Myeong-dong, Bukchon, and Namdaemun, have been temporarily suspended.
Cultural tourism guide programs at major attractions have been suspended.

Services Continuing as Usual

Six tourism information centers will continue to operate as usual.
Seven permanent tourist information centers will continue to operate as usual.

Sources

Seoul Metropolitan Government — Responding to This Year’s First Highest-Level Heat Wave Warning Issued at 11 AM: Seoul Takes All-Out Measures to Cool the Heat and Protect Vulnerable Groups (official notice from the publishing body, collected Sat 15 Aug 2026 (KST))

One source. Everything above rests on Seoul Metropolitan Government alone. We have not found a second, independent account of it, so treat the detail as that organisation states it and check the original before you rely on it.

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