The Second Relaxed New Year's COVID-19 Sunrise... Achasan and Jeongdongjin Crowded with People

On the 1st, a banner announcing the cancellation of the sunrise event was posted near Achasan in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

As the number of vehicles visiting Jeongdongjin Beach increases, autonomous patrol members are managing the traffic.

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunji Kwon (Intern), Seoyul Hwang (Intern)] On the morning of the 1st at 7 a.m., Achasan in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul was packed with citizens gathered to watch the first sunrise of the new year despite the cancellation of the sunrise event. Despite the bitter cold of minus 10 degrees Celsius, citizens heavily dressed in thick padding, fur hats, earmuffs, and gloves moved diligently. As the sunrise time approached, the 1-meter-wide hiking trail was filled with people, forcing them to climb the mountain at a slow pace. The Sunrise Plaza was also crowded with citizens waiting for the sun to rise. Kim Jinsu (69, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul), who visits Achasan every New Year's Day, said, "I thought there would be no people because of COVID-19, but I was surprised to see more people than I expected." Song Yewon (27, Yeouido, Seoul) also said, "This is my third time welcoming the new year at Achasan," adding, "It seems that even more people gathered than before the COVID-19 situation."

On the 1st, citizens are climbing Achasan Mountain in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul to watch the first sunrise of the new year.

◆Cautiously Lifted Restrictions at Popular Sunrise Spots= Most of those who visited Achasan said, "I came to Achasan for the sunrise because it is close to home." Park Haju (61), who lives in Gildong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, said, "Last year, I went to Naksansa Temple in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, but this year I came to Achasan for the first time with my group." Jo Hangyeol (16, Gangnam-gu, Seoul) also explained, "I came for the first time to make memories with my friends," adding, "Because it is close to where I live and I heard the scenery is nice." The reopening of the mountain for entry was also one of the reasons for the influx of hikers. Last year, not only was the event canceled, but access to Achasan was completely restricted from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

At a similar time, Jeongdongjin in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, a representative sunrise spot, was also bustling with tourists gathered to welcome the new year. Even with about two hours left until sunrise, the road in front of Jeongdongjin was filled with vehicles. On both sides of the road, tourists lined up and walked toward Jeongdongjin Beach under the guidance of traffic police. Oh (36) said, "I came to Jeongdongjin by car due to concerns about possible infections." Han Gyumin (59) said, "I didn't watch the sunrise last year, but it was so frustrating that I came out this time."

Around 6 a.m. on the same day, vehicles were lined up to enter a parking lot near Jeongdongjin, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do.

Unlike last year when Gangneung City Hall completely banned access to Jeongdongjin Beach, this year only access to the bridge at Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park, where crowds tend to gather, was restricted. A quarantine situation management office was set up on-site to oversee the overall quarantine situation. At Jeongdongjin Beach in front of Sandglass Park, tourists looked up in fascination at the flying quarantine drones. A city hall official said, "Last year, people crowded around the beach control line, making social distancing more difficult," adding, "We judged that dispersing tourists in a wide outdoor space is better than completely restricting the beach."

◆Relaxed Restrictions Bring Smiles to Small Business Owners= As crowds gathered, nearby restaurants experienced a rare burst of activity. In front of several soft tofu specialty restaurants at the foot of Achasan, about 20 customers lined up. Bang Geukjun (50), who runs a soft tofu specialty restaurant in Guui-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, said, "There are somewhat more customers than last year, so I can relax a little," adding, "I also prepared extra rice cake soup with the thought of selling at least one more bowl." Jang Insook (59), a nearby caf? owner, said, "Compared to the cold weather today, many customers came and went," adding, "It's not as good as before COVID-19, but it's a bit of a relief."

Chae Kang (22), who runs a caf? in front of Jeongdongjin Station, said, "Last year, even if I opened the store, the electricity bill wouldn't come out, so I took days off," adding, "I'm glad I can open the store this year." Convenience stores also had customers lining up to buy warm drinks and cup noodles. Convenience store owner Choi Youngmyung (52) said, "Sales on January 1 this year are definitely higher."

As the sunrise approached, a crowd gathered in front of the entrance to Jeongdongjin Beach, with no social distancing observed at all.

◆Social Distancing Overwhelmed Despite Quarantine Measures= Social distancing was not maintained amid the flood of people. Social distancing signs were installed throughout the Achasan hiking trails, and district office officials and police holding light sticks requested social distancing, but some hikers took off their masks to catch their breath or ate cup noodles and drinks.

At Jeongdongjin, as the sunrise time approached at 7 a.m., tourists waiting in their cars poured out, and the beach quickly filled with people. Quarantine workers wearing fluorescent yellow vests appealed for social distancing through loudspeakers, but citizens remained unmoved. One woman shouted, "Don't get close to people," as her son tried to enter the crowd. Some citizens said that the recommended 2-meter outdoor social distancing is realistically difficult to maintain. Nam Mo (60) said, "When moving around, social distancing is inevitably difficult," adding, "But since it's the second year of COVID-19, citizens' awareness has increased, and no one recklessly pushed through the crowd to see the sun."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.