[ad_1]
On the first, on the first day of the year, dawn vehicles flocked to the road near Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. [사진 = 연합뉴스]On the first day of the new year, the first day of the year, despite the call from the government and local governments to “Don’t go, don’t come”, a large crowd gathered at the national places for sunrise. Although sunrise points, such as the east coast, were closed, quarantine holes were created in several places as the sun crowded into the blind spot outside the control line.
Since dawn on this day, the roads near the main beaches such as Gyeongpo, Jeongdongjin and Naksan, famous for the sunrise on the east coast of Gangwon, were occupied by vehicles waiting for the sunrise, reminiscent of a parking lot. Around Gyeongpo, there was a long line of vehicles for the New Year at night, and some roads heading to Jeongdongjin were also full of vehicles, making things difficult for crackers. Yangyang Naksan beach parking lot was also camped by sunrise visitors from sunrise.
When access to the beach was restricted, it became a blind spot. In the case of Gangneung that day, a control line was struck on the about 45 km stretch from Okgye to Jumunjin. The town hall officials etc., who had been on the scene since the day before, guided them to keep their distances out of the line of control, but three or three and a half visitors to the sun were seen everywhere. One tourist said bluntly: “Can we just refrain from going onto the beach?”
Although not as much as in previous years, many tourists visited nearby hotels and guesthouses. Already the day before, all the trains leaving from Seoul to Gangneung were sold out. Most of the lodging establishments were full within 50% of the government limit. In the case of Skybay Gyeongpo Hotel, the room utilization rate was around 40% by encouraging cancellation of the reservation in advance. Regarding this, Gangneung citizen Choi Mo (38, female) said: “The beach is empty, but the surrounding atmosphere does not seem to be much different from the previous year.”
At the sea in front of King Munmudae’s Tomb in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, some tourists went beyond the control line onto the beach and saw the rising sun. The public parking lot in front of King Munmu’s tomb was closed, but the surrounding roads and roadsides were lined with vehicles that were brought in by dawn. Despite the closure of Homigot, Nam-gu, Pohang City, several rented cars or buses under the control of Pohang City and the police were found and handed over.
Busan’s top sunrise spots such as Haeundae Beach, where the sunrise event was completely canceled, gathered on the first day of the New Year in a relatively quiet setting, but some of them were packed with crowds outside the line. of control. As citizens flocked to the narrow sidewalk overlooking the sea, Haeundae-gu office staff and police urged them to keep their distance and strove to maintain order.
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, a popular sunrise spot on the eastern tip of Jeju Island, was closed early and had a low-key vibe, but Gwangchigi Beach was packed with locals and tourists to watch the sunrise. Gwangchigi Beach was also closed until day 3, but there are no other access control lines, so you can enter freely. Despite police repression, a large crowd gathered and the distance also disappeared. Lee Gyeong-min, 42, who lives in Jeju, said: “It was much less, but tourists stand out everywhere.”
Some of Incheon’s sunsets also drew crowds. Citizens gathered at Eulwang-ri Beach in Jung-gu, Incheon to watch the sun set over the sea, and distances near the pier were not properly observed. Some even saw a sign with ‘Access Control’ and went to the beach to take pictures. Jeong Seo-jin, which is popular as a sunset spot because you can see the sunset in the west sea vividly in front of you, was also visited by some citizens who were not aware of the closing measures, and then they turned regretfully.
[우성덕 기자 / 이상헌 기자][ⓒ 매일경제 & mk.co.kr, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]
