More than 10,000 South Koreans welcomed the New Year with a traditional bell-tolling ceremony on Thursday, January 1, in central Seoul.

Seoul's Metropolitan Government invited 11 civic representatives to take part in the annual event, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Park Jong-chan, director of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, who led the fourth launch of the homegrown Nuri rocket in November.

Following a public countdown at the Bosingak Bell Pavilion, the bronze bell was struck 33 times by the invited representatives.

Rooted in Buddhist cosmology, the tradition symbolizes the 33 heavens and is meant to dispel misfortune while bringing peace and prosperity for the year ahead, according to the city office.

-Production: Sebin Choi, Reim Nahaboo/Reuters