New Year's Eve in North Korea is a time for quiet celebration and remembrance. Unlike in many other parts of the world, there are no extravagant fireworks or exuberant parties. Instead, New Year's Eve is traditionally spent with family and friends in quiet gatherings. The North Koreans value this time to prepare for the New Year by undertaking thorough cleaning, reflecting on the past year, and expressing hopes for the coming year.
One important tradition that takes place over New Year's Eve is the bell-ringing ceremony at midnight. The bell located in the Juche Tower in Pyongyang is struck 12 times to signify the ending of the old year and the beginning of the New Year. This ceremony is broadcast across the nation, symbolically uniting all North Koreans in the transition into a new year. Manys people also pay a visit to the statues of their previous leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il to show respect.
Despite restrictions in the form of limited public festivities, New Year's Eve in North Korea does involve feasting. Families gather together to prepare and share traditional foods on this special occasion. One traditional dish common in North Korea on New Year's Eve is Tteokguk, a soup made with sliced rice cakes. Additionally, closely following the New Year's Eve is the New Year's Day, which is a national holiday observed with a public address by the country's leader.