Mourners on Dec. 30 pay their respects at the joint incense altar of Muan Sports Park in Muan-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province, for the victims of the plane crash at Muan International Airport. (Yonhap News)

By Lee Jihae

Local governments nationwide have scaled down or canceled New Year's events amid the national mourning period for the victims of the Jeju Air plane crash in Muan-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Dec. 30 said that through the period ending on Jan. 4, its year-end events including the Seoul Winter Festa will be scaled back or postponed, while the city will mourn with the public while welcoming 2025.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said such events to be hosted by local governments should proceed as planned, but in a calm manner given the mourning period.

Concerts and performances slated from 11 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1 for the annual bell-ringing ceremony at the Bosingak Belfry were canceled. The focus will be on a solemn and orderly ceremony.

"Midnight Sun," a massive structure shaped like the sun with a diameter of 30 m, will rise behind the bell to honor the victims.

"Seoul Light Gwanghwamun," a media art show at Gwanghwamun Gate in Seoul's Jongno-gu District, through Jan. 4 will feature visual effects and videos but no music, along with messages of condolences.

The New Year's Eve countdown event at Gwanghwamun will not have the light show and the countdown will be aired with no sound. "Seoul Light DDP," a media art show projected on the facade of Dongdaemun Design Plaza in the city's Jung-gu District, will be held with minimal sound.

Also scaled back is the global expo Seoul Con, which was opened on Dec. 28 featuring 3,500 social influencer teams from 50 countries. Just select programs are running like ones to support exports and transactions by domestic small and medium businesses.

Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink will run as usual until Feb. 9 but without music during the mourning period.

jihlee08@korea.kr