Seoul Metropolitan Council Speaker Im Man-gyun (second from left) participates in the bell-ringing ceremony at Bosingak Bell Tower.
Seoul Metropolitan Council Speaker Im Man-gyun (second from left) participates in the bell-ringing ceremony at Bosingak Bell Tower.

Seoul Metropolitan Council Speaker Im Man-gyun attended the "81st Liberation Day Commemorative Bell-Ringing Ceremony" at Bosingak Bell Tower in Jongno at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

Im joined nine descendants of independence movement patriots and other dignitaries in striking the bell, led three cheers of "Manse," and sang the Liberation Day anthem and "Praise of Seoul" with the crowd.

Held under the theme "The Sound of Liberation, Awakening the Future," the ceremony featured original musical theater and classical performances alongside the bell ringing. Supplementary public programs included an AI photo experience booth and a guided tour of sites linked to the anti-Japanese independence movement.

"Seoul shared the joy of liberation more passionately than anywhere else, and it is now advancing beyond Korea to become a global city leading the world," Im said. "The Seoul Metropolitan Council will build a Seoul where future generations hold greater hope and citizens shine — through a council that fulfills its responsibility of checks and oversight."

Seoul Metropolitan Council Speaker Im Man-gyun (front row, far left) leads three cheers of "Manse."
Seoul Metropolitan Council Speaker Im Man-gyun (front row, far left) leads three cheers of "Manse."

seouldream01@heraldcorp.com