Summer evenings are becoming prime swimming hours in Seoul, where thousands of residents are heading to Han River pools after sunset as the city extends operating hours to help people beat the heat. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Ttukseom and Yeouido swimming pools, along with the Jamsil and Nanji water playgrounds, have been operating nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. since July 3 and will continue through Aug. 30 without closing days. The city said the nighttime program has proved popular as prolonged heat waves drive more people outdoors after dark. "The night openings have transformed these public spaces into accessible, budget-friendly evening retreats for citizens escaping the heat," a city official said, noting that the combination of upgraded water infrastructure and cultural programming has made the riverside pools a centerpiece of Seoul's summer nightlife. Since the facilities opened for the summer season on June 19, Han River swimming pools and water playgrounds have welcomed 149,988 visitors through Tuesday. Ttukseom Pool recorded the highest attendance with 50,819 visito