Due to COVID-19... This Year's Bosingak Jeya Bell Event Canceled

The New Year's Eve bell-ringing event held at Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul, in the early morning of January 1 this year. / Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided not to hold the Gwanghwamun Bosingak 'New Year's Eve Bell Ringing' event, which has been conducted every year from the night of December 31. This decision is due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 6th, the city stated, "The 'New Year's Eve Bell Ringing' event, held annually for the peace and harmony of citizens, will be conducted online this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and prioritize citizens' safety." This is the first time in 67 years since the event began in 1953 that it will not be held.

Contrary to the impression given by the city's expression of an online bell-ringing event, the event will not actually take place at that time.

The city explained that it plans to pre-produce a video and broadcast it online at the moment the year changes to deliver the sound of the Bosingak bell to citizens, and is currently discussing detailed plans.

Additionally, although the bell-ringing event will not be held, the city is reviewing measures to address concerns that crowds may gather around Gwanghwamun and nearby areas before and after the designated time to welcome the New Year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.