"May Your Wishes Come True" ... Changwon Special City Welcomes the Byeong-o Year with Over 3,000 Citizens at Jinhaeru

Navy Band's Gilnori and Drum Ensemble Performance
A Variety of Performances Including Violin Collaboration

On January 1, Changwon Special City held the "2026 Byeong-o Year New Year's Citizens' Wish Prayer Ceremony" to mark the new year and pray for the well-being of its citizens and harmony within the local community.

Changwon Special City, welcoming the Year of the Snake with over 3,000 citizens at Jinhaeru.

The event, organized by the Yi Sun-sin Memorial Naval Festival Committee, began at 6:30 a.m. with over 3,000 attendees, including Jang Geum-yong, Acting Mayor of Changwon Special City, National Assemblyman Lee Jonguk, Jinhe-gu district and city council members, heads of related organizations and groups, and citizens.

The pre-ceremony performance featured the Navy Education Command's Korean traditional music band, which received enthusiastic applause for their lively and exciting "Gilnori" performance, wishing for abundant blessings for all citizens in the new year. This was followed by a fusion performance combining Korean traditional music and violin melodies, deeply moving the citizens who braved the cold weather to attend. Additionally, New Year's greetings and celebratory performances further heightened the festive atmosphere as everyone welcomed the first sunrise of the year together.

Citizens who participated in the event enjoyed a joyful time by writing their wishes and resolutions for the coming year on wish notes and hanging them on the wish rope. They also warmed their bodies and hearts with hot fish cake soup, tea, and fortune rice cakes prepared by the Memorial Association, wishing for good fortune in the new year.

Anticipating a large crowd on the day of the event, Jinhe-gu Office and the Memorial Association established a close cooperation system with related organizations such as the Jinhe Police Station and Changwon Fire Headquarters to maintain a state of readiness. In particular, safety facilities and personnel were intensively deployed along the breakwater to thoroughly prevent safety accidents.

Jang Geum-yong, Acting Mayor of Changwon Special City, said, "It feels even more special to welcome the first sunrise of the new year, filled with the vibrant energy of the Red Horse, together with so many citizens," and added, "I wish all citizens a year full of health, laughter, and happiness in the Byeong-o Year."