New Year's celebrations scaled down in mourning for plane crash victims amid political turmoil
By Im Yoon-seoPosted : December 31, 2024, 15:18Updated : December 31, 2024, 15:21
People lay flowers at a memorial altar for the victims of a deadly plane crash in Muan, South Jeolla Province on Dec. 30, 2024. Yonhap
SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Various events and festivals scheduled for New Year's Eve have been either canceled or scaled down as South Korea observes a mourning period this week, following last Sunday's fatal crash of a Jeju Air flight in Muan, South Jeolla Province.
The tragic accident further dampened the festive mood just ahead of ushering in the Year of the Wood Snake, as the country is weathering political turmoil, after a motion to impeach President Yoon Seok Yeol was passed in the National Assembly earlier this month over his aborted martial law debacle.
Workers prepare for an event at Bosingak Bell Pavilion in Jongno, central Seoul on Dec. 30, 2024, just a day ahead of New Year's Eve. Yonhap
The Seoul Metropolitan Government decided to proceed with the city's annual bell-ringing event at Bosingak Bell Pavilion on Tuesday night to welcome the new year as planned, but canceled all other festivities and performances.
Local governments and organizations have also canceled New Year's celebrations and countdown events including those for watching the first sunrise of the new year.
The country's three major terrestrial broadcasters followed suit, opting to replace their live annual year-end awards shows with pre-recorded versions.
