'Where Has Spring Come?' Ipchuncheop Posted on Closed Stores

On the 4th, marking 'Ipchun,' the beginning of spring according to the solar terms, an Ipchundaegil (立春大吉) and Geonyangdakyung (建陽多慶) Ipchuncheop are posted on a closed store in Myeongdong, Seoul. On the same day, the government decided to extend the current social distancing measures, which allow private gatherings of up to six people and restrict business operations after 9 p.m., for two more weeks to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

On the 4th, as the number of new COVID-19 cases exceeded 20,000 for the third consecutive day, the government decided to extend the current social distancing measures?which allow private gatherings of up to six people and restrict business operations after 9 p.m.?for another two weeks. On this day, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stated, "As the Lunar New Year holiday passes, the spread of the Omicron variant is rapidly increasing," and added, "After careful consideration, we made this decision." While acknowledging that the spread could intensify further, he mentioned that adjustments could be made depending on the situation. The streets of Myeongdong felt bleak that day. Among buildings darkened due to temporary closures and business shutdowns, a closed store stood out. It had spring couplets with the phrases Ipchundaegil (立春大吉) and Geonyangdakyung (建陽多慶) posted. The spring that once seemed distant is now approaching us.

On the 4th, known as 'Ipchun,' which marks the beginning of spring according to the solar calendar, the streets of Myeongdong in Seoul felt bleak. On this day, the government decided to extend the current social distancing measures, which allow private gatherings of up to six people and restrict business operations after 9 p.m., for two more weeks to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

On the 4th, marking 'Ipchun,' the beginning of spring according to the solar terms, an Ipchundaegil (立春大吉) and Geonyangdakyung (建陽多慶) Ipchuncheop were posted on a closed store in Myeongdong, Seoul. On the same day, the government decided to extend the current social distancing measures, which allow private gatherings of up to six people and restrict business operations after 9 p.m., for two more weeks to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is speaking at the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Meeting for COVID-19 Response' held on the 4th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is speaking at the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Meeting for COVID-19 Response' held on the 4th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is speaking at the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Meeting for COVID-19 Response' held on the 4th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

On the 4th, marking 'Ipchun,' the beginning of spring according to the solar terms, a closed store in Myeongdong, Seoul, has a notice of business closure and an announcement related to the 100 million won emergency COVID-19 livelihood support fund from the National Revolutionary Party posted on it. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

On the 4th, marking 'Ipchun,' the beginning of spring according to the solar terms, an Ipchundaegil (立春大吉) and Geonyangdakyung (建陽多慶) Ipchuncheop were posted on a closed store in Myeongdong, Seoul. On the same day, the government decided to extend the current social distancing measures, which allow private gatherings of up to six people and restrict business operations after 9 p.m., for two more weeks to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

On the 4th, known as 'Ipchun,' marking the beginning of spring according to the solar terms, the streets of Myeongdong in Seoul are quiet. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

On the 4th, marking 'Ipchun,' the beginning of spring according to the solar terms, Ipchundaegil (立春大吉) and Geonyangdakyung (建陽多慶) Ipchun couplets are posted at Namsangol Hanok Village in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

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