'With Sunrise at Popular Sunrise Viewing Spots'... Seoul District Mayors Pledge Their Best

Sending Off New Year Wishes and Praying for Farewell

Sunrise viewed from Samsung Sunrise Park in Gangnam-gu. (Photo by Gangnam-gu Office)

Each district in Seoul began the year with a Gapjin Year sunrise event wishing for the health and happiness of its residents.

On the morning of the 1st, Gangnam-gu Mayor Jo Seong-myeong welcomed the hopeful first day at the Samsung Sunrise Park event. Attendees attached wish papers containing their New Year's hopes to drones and sent them into the sky, followed by a performance by a children's choir praying for a hopeful new year. Afterwards, they shared rice cake soup at Cheongdam-garo Park, spending a warm New Year's morning together.

Mayor Jo Seong-myeong of Gangnam-gu said, “I hope everyone makes a hopeful resolution for the year at Samsung Sunrise Park, which has become a popular sunrise spot. As we welcome the Year of the Blue Dragon in the Gapjin Year, I wish all residents achieve their aspirations, and like the dragon soaring, we will vigorously move forward for Gangnam's leap.”

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and district mayors marked the beginning of the year with a visit to the National Seoul National Cemetery on this day. (Photo by Dongdaemun District Office)

Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Lee Pil-hyeong started the year by attending the Baebongsan sunrise event in the morning, followed by a visit to the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery. Due to heavy snowfall two days prior, the district conducted safety inspections and snow removal on the mountain paths a day before the event to prevent accidents on the slippery trails.

That morning, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and district mayors paid tribute to the patriotic martyrs and national heroes by laying flowers and incense at the Memorial Tower.

Mayor Lee Pil-hyeong of Dongdaemun-gu said, “Receiving the energy of the Blue Dragon in the Gapjin Year, I hope 2024 will be a happy year where all residents' New Year's wishes come true. This year, together with 340,000 residents, we will create smart changes to make Dongdaemun-gu a pleasant, safe, walkable city and a great place to raise children.”

The first sunrise of the new year rising over Yongmasan. (Photo by Jungnang-gu Office)

Jungnang-gu Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi held a sunrise event at Yongmasan 5th Fortress and welcomed the Gapjin Year with residents. About 300 residents participated in the sunrise event held at Yongmasan 5th Fortress at 7 a.m. on New Year's Day.

Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi of Jungnang-gu said, “I pray that the energy of the Blue Dragon will be abundantly passed on to Jungnang-gu, the gateway city of eastern Seoul, and to its residents, making it a year full of good things. In the Gapjin Year, I will do my best for the development of Jungnang-gu and the happiness of its residents.”

Sunrise viewed from Gaewoonsan Sports Field. (Photo by Seongbuk-gu Office)

Seongbuk-gu Mayor Lee Seung-ro visited Gaeunsan Mountain with about 3,000 tourists and residents to watch the first sunrise of the year and made New Year's wishes and resolutions. Before the sunrise, a pungmul performance troupe's street parade and a lively performance by the popera group Dream Musical excited the hearts of tourists and Seongbuk residents waiting for the sunrise.

Mayor Lee Seung-ro of Seongbuk-gu expressed his determination, saying, “In 2024, Seongbuk will strive to realize a sustainable future and achieve administrative results that residents can feel.”

Sunrise viewed from Achasan Eoullim Square. (Photo by Gwangjin-gu Office)

Gwangjin-gu held the ‘Achasan Sunrise Festival’ at Achasan Eoullim Square on New Year's Day. Although it was originally scheduled to take place at Achasan Sunrise Park, the venue was changed due to concerns about safety accidents such as slips and falls caused by the earlier heavy snowfall.

Gwangjin-gu Mayor Kim Gyeong-ho said, “I hope everyone who visited Achasan, where the sun rises first in Seoul, enjoyed the first sunrise of the year and took with them the energy of the Blue Dragon, symbolizing success and hope.”

Sunrise viewed from the lawn square at Bukseoul Dream Forest. (Photo by Gangbuk-gu Office)

Gangbuk-gu held the ‘Gangbuk Sunrise Event’ at Buk Seoul Dream Forest. At the Cheongundapwon (lawn plaza) in Buk Seoul Dream Forest, Gangbuk-gu Mayor Lee Soon-hee said, “The Gapjin Year 2024, the ‘Year of the Blue Dragon,’ will be a year that completes the masterpiece with the support and participation of residents. I hope all residents shake off the bad things and have a year full of health, happiness, and good things in 2024.”