A bus driver who saved passengers and pedestrians, a crisis hotline counselor, and other notable citizens will ring the traditional New Year's Eve bell in Seoul.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday the 11 individuals selected to participate in the midnight bell-ringing ceremony at Bosingak Pavilion in Jongno-gu on December 31.
The honorees were chosen by a recommendation committee from 114 nominees submitted through a public nomination process held November 6-30. The bell ringers represent citizens from all walks of life who have served as role models in society and can deliver messages of hope for the new year.
Among them are Kim Gwi-sun, who has volunteered as a crisis hotline counselor for 25 years; Kim Ssang-sik, who hands out free bread to students on their way to school; Lee Bok-dan, who has delivered meals to those in need for 15 years; and Jung Young-jun, a bus driver who saved a pedestrian and a passenger on two separate occasions using CPR.
The group also includes Nahmady Joel Jean, Korea's first world championship gold medalist in relay racing; Park Jong-chan, who led the successful launch of the domestically developed Nuri rocket; Yoon Seok-duk, who developed color-coded road surface guidance lines; and Ha Jae-hun, a Paralympic rowing athlete who lost his leg to a landmine.
Singer Sean, known for his consistent charitable activities and positive influence, singer Yang Hee-eun, recipient of the Seoul Culture Award, and bestselling novelist Chung Se-rang were also selected as bell ringers.
"We hope the New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony will offer warm comfort and hope to citizens who have worked hard throughout the year in their respective fields," said Kim Tae-hee, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Culture Division.
