Ski resorts’ protest Officials in the ski business sector protest the government’s order to suspend the operation of ski resorts amid the COVID-19 pandemic during a news conference at a resort in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, on Dec. 23, 2020. (Yonhap)
Christmas Eve amid pandemic This combination of photos shows fewer people in Myeongdong, a popular shopping district in Seoul, on this year’s Christmas Eve (top) than last year (bottom) due to the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
Gym owners protest against COVID-19 restrictions A member of the Korea Fitness Manager Association stages a one-person protest against the government’s coronavirus restrictions in front of Cheong Wa Dae on Dec. 20, 2020, demanding sports facilities be allowed to run until 9 p.m. like other facilities including restaurants and cafes. Under the current Level 2.5 social distancing scheme, indoor sports facilities, nightclubs, karaoke bars and indoor standing concert venues have been ordered to close to prevent infections. (Yonhap)
N. Korea’s stamps on parade for 75th anniv. of ruling party (CR)This photo, captured from the website of North Korean propaganda outlet Naenara on Dec. 21, 2020, shows a stamp issued by the North’s State Stamp Bureau that features a military parade in Pyongyang in October 2020 to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party. (Yonhap)
War remains enshrined Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (C) views honor guards carrying the remains of South Korean soldiers, killed during the 1950-53 Korean War, during a joint enshrinement ceremony at the National Cemetery in Seoul on Dec. 18, 2020. (Yonhap)
Snow-capped Mount Halla This provided photo shows Baekrokdam Lake, which sits at the top of Mount Halla on South Korea’s largest island of Jeju, covered with snow on Dec. 18, 2020. The 1,950-meter dormant volcano, a UNESCO-designated world natural heritage site, is the highest peak in South Korea. (Yonhap)
Winding road decorated with snow This photo, released by the Korea National Park Service on Dec. 16, 2020, shows fallen snow surrounding a winding road on Heuksan Island in Dadohaehaesang National Park off South Korea’s southwestern coast after heavy snowfall on the island the previous day. (Yonhap)
Lantern lighting fest listed as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage This undated file photo shows a lotus lantern festival in Seoul to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday. South Korea’s Lantern Lighting Festival, or “Yeondeunghoe” in Korean, has been officially inscribed as intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, the government said on Dec. 16, 2020. The decision was made during the 15th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, taking place online. (Yonhap)
New coronavirusSki lifts remain suspended at a ski resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, northeastern South Korea, on Dec. 16, 2020, following its closure caused by a cluster of coronavirus cases at the resort. (Yonhap)
Home meal replacement market growing A woman selects home meal replacement products at a retail outlet in Seoul on Dec. 14, 2020. The country’s home meal replacement market is rapidly growing amid the coronavirus pandemic, with even hotels and departments stores joining in. (Yonhap)
