What is Seoul International Fireworks Festival?
{{unsourced|date=May 2013}} '''Seoul International Fireworks Festival''' is the one of the biggest festivals held in [[Seoul]] held by [http://www.hanwha-solarone.com/company/hanwha-group Hanwha group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203122208/http://www.hanwha-solarone.com/company/hanwha-group |date=2012-12-03 }}, [[Korea]]n corporation. In 2000, it was held to wish for successful [[World Cup 2002]] near Yeouido. After that, it has been held annually with [[Italy|Italian]], [[China|Chinese]], [[United States|American]] and Korean teams except for 2001, 2006, 2009. In 2001, it was cancelled due to the [[September 11 attacks]]. In 2006, it could not be held because [[North Korea]] carried out a [[nuclear]] test, and in 2009, because of [[influenza A]]. The latest festival was held in October 6, 2012, which gathered more than 120 million people. ==Features== The Hanwha Group spends about 1500-million won for the [[firework]]s festival. Each team spends about 200 million [[South Korean won|won]] every year. People do not pay any fee to enjoy the festival. As time passes, more and more people are gathering, so the “Hot Places” become crowded 3 hours before the beginning of the festival. The best place to watch the fireworks is in front of [[63 Building]]. People can enjoy sound effects as well near 63 Building. If the place is too crowded to enjoy the festival, [[Han River|Hangang Park]] is also a good place. If people take the subway to get to the place, they can exit at Yeouinaru Station. If the subway does not stop at Yeouinaru Station around start time of the festival, Yeouido Station is also fine. The fireworks start around at 8 p.m. and end around at 9 p.m. Before the fireworks start, additional festivals, such as concerts or racing are held. ==Criticism== There is criticism that Hanhwa Group holds the festival only to advertise their company. The president [[Lee Myung-bak]] says that Seoul cannot support this festival for advertising the private company. In addition, people who do not go