지자체, 명소 페쇄부터 드론 가동까지... 해맞이객 차단에 사활<br /><br />We are just under five hours away from the year 2021 here in South Korea.<br />But some of the usual places where people gather to ring in... the New Year will be empty.<br />To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, municipal governments are banning gatherings at popular hotspots to watch the year's first sunrise.<br />And, for the first time in nearly 70 years, the traditional bell-ringing event... in central Seoul is going virtual.<br />Han Seong-woo reports.<br />One of the most popular things to do on New Year's Day in South Korea is to watch the year's first sunrise along the East Coast.<br />But this time, there won't be thousands of people packed at Jeongdongjin Beach in Gangwon-do Province... or at Pohang's Homigot Sunrise Square in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province either.<br />By closing beaches and sealing off parking lots, local governments are taking preventative measures.<br />The coastal city of Gangneung in Gangwon-do Province will even fly drones overhead to check for possible trespassers.<br />And restaurants in the area can only offer take-out or delivery until 3 PM on New Year's Day.<br />As for the capital area, Guri in Gyeonggi-do Province has already closed the parking lot to its Hangang River Park<br />"A popular spot to watch the sunrise in Seoul, Sunyugyo Bridge in Yeongdeungpo-gu District will be closed to visitors from the moment the clock hits midnight until 8 AM New Year's Day."<br />The bridge and the wooden deck usually attract hundreds of spectators every year to see the sun rise above the National Assembly.<br />"It's a pity but we'll have to follow government guidelines. If staying at home is one way to quickly put an end to COVID-19, I believe citizens should willingly cooperate."<br />But, people will still be able to watch the sunrise.... from the comfort of their own homes.<br />SK Innovation will broadcast the New Year sunrise live from the southeastern port city of Ulsan via its official YouTube channel for about an hour starting at 7 AM.<br />Also going non-contact is the annual New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony at Bosingak Pavilion in Seoul's Jongno-gu District.<br />In cooperation with SK Telecom, Seoul will carry out the event virtually on its official government website...after being forced to cancel for the first time in 67 years.<br />Arirang TV will also air an online version of the ceremony featuring prerecorded footage and previous bell-ringings.<br />Han Seong-woo, Arirang News.<br />
