Following the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam, year-end and New Year events scheduled in Jeju are being canceled.
Jeju held a festival committee meeting on the afternoon of the 30th and canceled the 32nd Seongsan Ilchul Festival scheduled for the 31st and Jan. 1 next year.
The festival was initially expected to proceed as scheduled with reduced pre-events, but Jeju decided to cancel it entirely considering the national mourning period.
With the cancellation of the Seongsan Ilchul Festival, the nighttime hike of Seongsan Ilchulbong has also been canceled.
Jeju had planned to allow access to Seongsan Ilchulbong for 900 reserved visitors from 4 a.m. on Jan. 1 next year, but with the festival’s cancellation, the original access time from 6 a.m. will be maintained.
Jeju City decided not to proceed with the Yeonggotago event scheduled for the 31st.
Jeju City Mayor Kim Wan-geun said, 'We express our condolences to the bereaved families and share in their unexpected great sorrow with Jeju citizens.'
Seogwipo also canceled the 26th Seogwipo Winter Sea International Penguin Swimming Contest, which was to be held at Jungmun Saekdal Beach on Jan. 1 next year.
The event, which involves diving into the winter sea to wish for health and good wishes for the New Year, was deemed inappropriate due to the passenger plane disaster at Muan Airport the previous day.
Da-jeong-eup in Seogwipo also decided not to hold the 'Daejeong Same-Day Sunset Festival' scheduled for the 31st, which was to pray for safety and peace in the New Year.
Hotels in Jeju are also canceling year-end countdown events.
Jeju Shinhwa World decided not to hold the 'Jeju Shinhwa World Countdown 2025' concert, where famous musicians such as Jaurim, AKMU, and Lee Mu-jin were expected to perform.
Jeju Shinhwa World announced, 'We will proceed with free cancellations through our official website for reservations made until Jan. 4 next year during the national mourning period, and fireworks events will also be suspended during this time.'
Lotte Tour Development also canceled the year-end countdown event at the highest floor of the Grand Hyatt Jeju within Jeju Dream Tower Integrated Resort. Amber Pure Hill Hotel & Resort decided not to hold a countdown party either.
Jeju Tourism Association is coordinating whether to hold a welcoming event on Jan. 1 next year for tourists visiting Jeju for the first time.