Decided Not to Hold Myeongdong Square Countdown Festival in Front of Shinsegae Main Store

Jung-gu "Deep Condolences, All Employees Wear Mourning Ribbons"

Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Gil-seong) announced on the 30th that the ‘2025 Countdown Show LIGHT NOW’ festival, which was scheduled to be held in front of the Shinsegae Main Store at Myeongdong Square on the night of the 31st, has been completely canceled.

The exterior wall of the Shinsegae Department Store main branch in Jung-gu, Seoul, is illuminated with Christmas decorations using media facade videos. Jung-gu had planned to hold a countdown festival here on the night of the 31st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

This event, hosted by KBS Korean Broadcasting, had planned K-POP celebration performances, a countdown video, and a fireworks show. However, the district decided to cancel the event to mourn the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident that occurred at Muan International Airport on the 29th.

District Mayor Kim Gil-seong said, “The sudden accident has plunged the entire nation into sorrow,” adding, “We judged that it is more important to empathize with the pain of the victims and their families and share in their grief rather than hold the festival, and we extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families.”

Along with this, Jung-gu decided to express its condolences by having all employees wear mourning ribbons during the mourning period, flying flags at half-mast, and postponing events such as the New Year’s greeting meeting.