Over 500 Gather at Wolsan Neighborhood Park
Pay Silent Tribute to Jeju Air Victims
"Hope This Year Moves in the Right Direction"
On the morning of the 1st, citizens are capturing the first sunrise of 2025 at Wolsan Neighborhood Park in Wolsan-dong, Nam-gu. Photo by Min Chanki
"2024 was a year full of troubles. In this Eulsayear, I hope everyone can forget their worries and achieve all their wishes."
On the morning of the 1st, Wolsan Neighborhood Park in Wolsan-dong, Nam-gu.
Before sunrise, about 500 people, including friends and families, were climbing the hill in the pitch-black darkness to watch the first sunrise of the year.
After walking for about ten minutes, those who reached the top of the hill settled down facing the direction where the sun would rise. Unlike usual, most citizens paused for a moment of silent tribute after finding their spots.
Kim (41), who came to see the sunrise with his son, said, "The victims of the Jeju Air disaster have been on my mind, so I thought it was right to pay tribute to them first," adding, "After watching the sunrise, I plan to visit the joint memorial altar at the May 18 Democracy Plaza."
As sunrise approached, the hill quickly filled with citizens. A child who arrived late couldn't see over the crowd and climbed onto his father's shoulders.
Some people shared tteokguk they had brought in thermoses to warm themselves, while a group of friends asked each other about their New Year's wishes as they waited for the sunrise.
About 20 minutes after the expected sunrise time, the sun began to appear over Mudeungsan. Citizens took out their phones to capture the first sunrise of 2025.
This year's sunrise event proceeded relatively calmly in a somber atmosphere. Some citizens closed their eyes to make wishes as the sun rose, while others wiped away tears, saddened by the victims of the Jeju Air disaster.
When the sun was fully up, some in the crowd cheered and applauded, took commemorative photos, or shared the scene with friends via video calls.
With recent incidents such as the Muan Jeju Air disaster and the December 3 Martial Law Crisis, many citizens expressed hopes for social stability amid deepening turmoil.
Park (27), who came to see the sunrise with friends, said, "I come to see the sunrise every year, but today the atmosphere was especially calm," adding, "Rather than making my own wish first, I thought it was more important to mourn the victims and their families. I hope this year, without any troubles, issues will be resolved in the right direction and everyone will achieve what they desire."
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