Original article in Korean is at this link.

Despite an increasing number of phone calls by citizens concerned about the volume of trash in the Han River, it has been confirmed that what appears to be garbage is in fact clumps of ice.

The Seoul city government announced on the 15th that a number of citizens have reported to the Dasan Call Center (02-120) that there appears to be pollution in the Han River, but it is actually thawing ice in the warming weather.

Ice floating in the Han River, mixed with exhaust from nearby auto-mobiles, is causing it to take on the appearance of pollution in the river. The city explained that bubbles easily took on the appearance of pollution.

An official with the city’s department in charge of the Han River said: “This is an example of the high regard the city’s people have for the river… we will work even harder to keep the river clean for them because of their constant concern for it.”