"The main principle for selecting the venue is to minimize inconvenience to citizens," said Bishop Lee Kyung-sang, the chief coordinator for the 2027 World Youth Day (WYD) organizing committee, during a press conference held on November 5 at the Cultural Center of Myeongdong Cathedral.
The organizing committee announced plans to hold the opening mass, papal welcome event, and Stations of the Cross at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, while the overnight prayer and closing mass are set to take place at Seoul Airport. Bishop Lee expressed caution regarding the final confirmation of the airport as a venue but indicated that preparations are being made with that location in mind.
Below are key points from Bishop Lee's remarks and the subsequent Q&A session, organized by topic.
Why was Sangam chosen over Gwanghwamun as the main venue?
"Holding the event at Gwanghwamun would require extensive road closures for several days, causing significant disruption to citizens. In 2014, we used Gwanghwamun for half a day on a Sunday, but this time we need multiple days. Therefore, we decided to use the Seoul World Cup Stadium and its surrounding areas, considering safety and security issues as well."
What is the process for selecting the venue?
"Since this is the Pope's event, it is easier to understand if we view it as acting on his behalf. We propose various locations, and the Vatican conducts site visits to assess the conditions. We also consult with relevant domestic agencies to finalize the venue."
Why prepare Seoul Airport for the overnight prayer and closing mass?
"The reasoning is similar. If we hold the event on major roads, we would need to block them off, but at Seoul Airport, we can use the roads without needing to impose such restrictions. This allows us to safely welcome youth from around the world. We are coordinating with military authorities and other relevant departments. There are also advantages in terms of restroom facilities and wastewater management. The Vatican has positively evaluated this location after their site visit. While I cannot say it is definitively confirmed, we are preparing in that direction."
Won't it be difficult to access Seoul Airport via public transportation?
"Given the nature of the airport, it may feel distant since people do not visit often. However, there are nearby subway options. Participants will need to walk a few kilometers, approximately 2.8 to 4 kilometers. We plan to set up support stations along the walking route, similar to hydration stations in marathons. Additionally, considering our country's strength in IT, we are contemplating the installation of outdoor air conditioning units."
What measures are being taken to address the heat during the outdoor event?
"We are preparing shaded areas, cooling shelters, water supply, misting, and personal cooling support. We will utilize perceived temperature and wet bulb globe temperature, and in case of rain, we will provide multilingual guidance and a phased response based on rainfall. We will establish criteria for scaling down, suspending, or resuming the event due to severe weather, in consultation with relevant agencies, and include the decision-making authority and communication system in our operational manual."
How will crowd management and emergency medical response be handled?
"We will conduct crowd movement simulations to assess risks of congestion and crowding in advance, and we plan to use CCTV and AI-based crowd density analysis on-site. We will collaborate with police, fire, and medical institutions for response. In the event of heat-related illnesses, we will ensure prompt emergency care is available on-site. We are establishing a medical support system with national medical institutions and eight affiliated hospitals under the Catholic Central Medical Center."
What is the status of accommodation preparations through parishes and homestays?
"Currently, we are preparing to accommodate a total of 270,000 people across 217 parishes. The capacity of each parish has been determined through direct communication with the parish priests. We are continuing to accept homestay applications and are looking to secure spaces in local private institutions and private schools. Participant registration will close on May 31 next year, allowing for accurate allocation by number and country. Our priority is to maximize accommodation capacity."
Did Mayor Oh Se-hoon inquire about the possibility of adjusting the event schedule?
"I understand his concerns. However, if we delay by a week, we will not be able to use school facilities due to preparations for the new school year. This period coincides with summer vacation for students and holidays for citizens, which is favorable for international youth participation. The schedule has already been communicated to youth representatives from various countries. The date was determined based on a comprehensive assessment of domestic space and facility conditions. Mayor Oh has also expressed his willingness to cooperate as much as possible."
Is the event open to other religions and non-believers?
"We do not hide or deny the nature of this international event being organized by the Catholic Church. However, it is open to participation regardless of religious beliefs. In addition to masses and prayers, there will be youth festivals and cultural and artistic programs. We will provide more detailed participation procedures for each program. I want to clarify that we do not have the ambition to expand the Catholic Church's influence through this event."
During the press conference, Bishop Lee also shared a brief conversation with a reporter, exchanging business cards and mentioning his long-standing relationship with Mayor Oh. When asked if he and Mayor Oh were friends, he replied, "Yes, we were in the same class in elementary and middle school."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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