Seodaemun-gu in Seoul (District Mayor Lee Seongheon) will hold a New Year's sunrise event near the Ansan Bongsudae within the district on January 1 next year.
This event, organized by the Seodaemun Cultural Center, will allow participants to enjoy the sunrise, expected at 7:47 a.m., while chanting "Three Cheers for the Sunrise of Hope." The Korea Meteorological Administration has forecasted "clear" weather for Seoul on January 1, so attendees are likely to witness the sunrise.
The path to the site begins at the entrance to the "Meeting Place" behind the Seodaemun District Office. Starting around 6:30 a.m., warm tea and hot packs will be provided for residents at various points, including the Meeting Place, Muaakjeong, and the helipad. Guides and safety personnel will help lead participants to the sunrise viewing area.
After a 20- to 30-minute walk up Ansan, participants will pass the metasequoia trail restroom and Muaakjeong before reaching the helipad. At Muaakjeong, there will be a New Year's fortune event using yut (a traditional Korean board game). At the helipad, participants can beat a large drum while making their New Year's wishes and take commemorative photos in front of a picture of a red horse, symbolizing the Year of the Byeongo.
The district will ensure safety by conducting pre-event inspections of slopes and stairs, installing safety fences and control lines, separating up and down routes to manage crowd flow, and operating a temporary on-site medical clinic. Close cooperation will be maintained with the Seodaemun Police Station, Seodaemun Fire Station, and Seodaemun Public Health Center.
Lee Seongheon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, stated, "We expect the Seodaemun Ansan sunrise event to be a time for families and neighbors to share well-wishes and renew their resolve, opening 2026 with energy and optimism."
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