"Happy New Year"... Hope Message Rings with 'Jeya Bell' After 3 Years

On the early morning of January 1, the first day of the Year of the Black Rabbit 2023, citizens are cheering at the ringing of the New Year's Eve bell event held at Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Choi Taewon @skking

[Asia Economy Reporters Seongpil Cho, Taewon Choi] "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Happy New Year."

At midnight on January 1, 2023, at Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the New Year's Eve bell rang. It was the first time in three years. The bell-ringing event at Bosingak began in 1953. For 67 years since then, the Bosingak bell has rung every New Year's without fail, but it stopped in 2020 due to COVID-19 and finally rang again this year. The bell, which had waited buried in all kinds of noise and dust in the heart of Seoul for three years, seemed to be waiting to be struck again. Its resonance was stronger than any other year.

Despite Subzero Wind Chill, Crowds Gathered

As the New Year's Eve bell announcing the start of the Year of the Black Rabbit rang, citizens gathered in front of Bosingak cheered all at once. They had gathered in front of Bosingak from the night before to welcome the new year. The area around Jonggak Station, where Bosingak is located, was packed with people. The police and Seoul city estimated about 100,000 people had gathered.

Many came with their families, and quite a few students came with friends to welcome the new year. Foreigners were also easily spotted. People who had removed the masks that covered their mouths for the past two years were noticeable. Despite the subzero wind chill, they wore expressions as if enjoying a festival after three years.

Kim (44), who said he came from Incheon to Bosingak, said, "I came with my three children, wife, and dog," adding, "I used to come often before COVID-19, so I’m happy to bring them after a long time." Mason Slack (21), an international student from Ohio, USA, said, "I came with friends who are studying abroad together to experience Korean culture," and added, "It’s a good memory."

"Hope for Good Employment," "Wish for Family Happiness"

Citizens gathered at the event exchanged well-wishes and prayed for their hopes for the new year as the bell rang. Lee (23), who came with friends, said, "I was born in the Year of the Rabbit, and next year is the Year of the Rabbit, so I came with neighborhood friends," adding, "I prayed for good employment as I am about to graduate."

The children who came with their families wished for 'happiness.' Lee (11) said, "It’s my first time at Bosingak, and I came with an excited heart," adding, "I wished that my family and friends would all be happy next year." Jung (11) also said, "Since it’s the new year, I asked my parents to come to Bosingak together," adding, "I hope to meet good friends at school and that my whole family will be happy next year."

Some citizens also mentioned the Itaewon tragedy last October. Im (43), a mother of Lee, said, "I was worried about bringing my child to a crowded place because of the tragedy, but I wanted to give her a good experience," adding, "I’m glad we enjoyed it well and are leaving now."

On the early morning of January 1, the first day of the Year of the Black Rabbit 2023, police officers are on duty at the bell-ringing event at Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Choi Taewon @skking

Police Deploy 27 Riot Squads... Ensuring Citizen Safety

Following the Itaewon tragedy, the police, who launched a major reform for citizen safety, deployed about 1,800 personnel including 27 riot squads for the Bosingak New Year's Eve bell-ringing event held for the first time in three years to manage safety. A police official said, "We did our best to ensure the Bosingak bell-ringing event was safely managed."

The police also implemented traffic control in some sections to prevent safety accidents during the bell-ringing event. About 180 traffic police were deployed around Bosingak, and 84 signboards and 140 banners were installed to guide vehicles to detour in advance. The police traffic control was expected to continue until 1:30 a.m.

Earlier, Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun visited Bosingak the day before in the afternoon to inspect a drone detection vehicle and encourage police special forces. He climbed onto the roof of the on-site command vehicle to check the security posture at the Jonggak Station intersection, where about 100,000 people were expected to gather.