[Photo] Kim Kyung-ho, Gwangjin-gu Mayor, Takes Safety Measures for Residents at New Year's Sunrise Event

Achasan Sunrise

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, Cancels 2023 New Year's Sunrise Event on the 1st for Residents' Safety, Instead Focuses on Safety Measures for Hikers at Achasan

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] To protect the safety of hikers visiting Achasan in Gwangjin-gu for the 2023 New Year's sunrise, Mayor Kim Kyung-ho and district officials took action.

Achasan is a famous sunrise spot where the sun rises first in Seoul, attracting a continuous flow of people eager to watch the first sunrise of the new year.

Considering the large crowds expected, the district canceled the sunrise event and instead mobilized all administrative resources to focus on safety management for visitors to Achasan.

At 4 a.m., district officials and staff lit up "safety lanterns" brightly in their assigned areas.

After holding three safety strategy meetings, the district conducted a pre-inspection on the 28th of last month, touring bottleneck areas such as the Achasan observatory and Naktagogae to simulate dispersal of ascending and descending hikers.

Drawing on this experience, they intensively controlled dangerous sections, used walkie-talkies to relay real-time updates, closely monitored hikers during patrols, and encouraged social distancing when crowds gathered to promote orderly viewing.

Mayor Kim Kyung-ho also visited the site, carefully overseeing residents' safety alongside about 150 administrative personnel. He greeted visitors with New Year's wishes and attentively checked on their health and well-being.

On that day, 32 CCTV cameras operated in real time, with staff at the Achasan Management Office and Integrated Control Center thoroughly inspecting blind spots. When crowds gathered, warning sounds were broadcast via CCTV speakers.

Additionally, vehicle traffic was banned around Achasan Ecological Park, and special crackdowns on illegal parking were enforced to establish a tight safety net.

To ease residents' disappointment over the cancellation of the sunrise event, side events featuring a rabbit sculpture, traditional lanterns (cheongsachorong), an LED "Gate of Hope," and photo zones were installed to attract passersby.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, expressed his commitment, saying, "In the Year of the Black Rabbit 2023, we will always prioritize residents' safety, communicate continuously, and work diligently and rightly so that all their wishes may come true."

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, Holds 2023 New Year's Sunrise Event at Bongsan on the 1st

Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) successfully held the 2023 New Year's sunrise event at Bongsan Sunrise Park on January 1st, the first day of the new year.

This was the first sunrise event in three years, held to pray for a hopeful year ahead in the Year of the Black Rabbit (Gye-myo-nyeon).

At this year's event, an arch-shaped sculpture called the "Gate of New Year's Hope," decorated with illumination lights, was installed at the entrance of the hiking trail leading to Bongsan Sunrise Park, symbolizing the wish for a bright path ahead in the new year.

At sunrise, drones were flown to welcome the new year, and residents joined in watching the sunrise while chanting hopeful slogans. Activities included writing wishes on wish papers, sharing warm tea and New Year's greetings, and performances featuring vocal music and traditional Korean drums (daebuk) to celebrate the new year.

Although many people attended this first mask-free sunrise event in three years, it concluded safely without any accidents. Prior to the event, the district established a basic safety management plan and deployed safety personnel at the venue to ensure thorough safety management.

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, said, "I hope that, like the vigorous rising sun of the new year, a bright year awaits all residents of Eunpyeong-gu."

Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, Holds 2023 New Year's Sunrise Event at Buk Seoul Dream Forest on the 1st

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) held the 2023 New Year's sunrise event at Buk Seoul Dream Forest on the morning of the 1st, starting the hopeful first step of the Year of the Black Rabbit with about 300 citizens.

The district held the event at Cheongun Danwon within Buk Seoul Dream Forest, which reinterprets traditional landscapes to recreate scenes from ancestors' times.

The event began with greetings from Mayor Lee Soon-hee and Gangbuk-gu Council Chairman Heo Gwang-haeng, followed by a reading of New Year's prayers by award recipients from among Gangbuk residents.

At around 7:47 a.m., Mayor Lee Soon-hee and citizens welcomed the first rising sun of the Year of the Black Rabbit by shouting three cheers for long life (manse) and prayed for a vigorous start and well-being of Gangbuk-gu. Afterwards, a harmonious gathering unfolded where citizens exchanged New Year's greetings and well-wishes.

In her greeting, Mayor Lee Soon-hee said, "I sincerely welcome all residents who came here to welcome the new year despite the cold. Like the sun rising through the darkness, Gangbuk-gu will overcome adversity and strive to be a source of strength in the lives of all Gangbuk residents."

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) successfully held the 2023 New Year's sunrise event at Samsung Sunrise Park on the 1st. After four years, residents joined in a countdown and made wishes, welcoming the hopeful sunrise of the Year of the Black Rabbit together.