Korea’s Cold Spell

[Anchor Lead]

Freezing temperatures continue to grip the nation this week. In Gangwondo Province, where the mercury has dipped to nearly negative 20 degrees Celsius, even waterfalls have frozen over, creating an icy landscape to behold.

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An 80 meter wide waterfall has frozen over in the cold weather, transforming into an icy cliff. Enormous icicles measuring over 2 meters long hang precariously from a rocky cliff. This is Cheorwon in Gangwon-do Province, where the mercury has dipped to nearly minus 20 degrees Celsius. Steam billowing from the chimneys of a frozen farming village is the only indication of any warmth. Firewood is ceaselessly fed into a boiler, but residents still shiver in the brutal cold.

Heaters have become more essential than ever among vendors at traditional markets who eagerly await customers ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

[Soundbite] Jeong Chun-in(Dongsong Market Vendor) : "It was fine before, but it got so cold with the holiday just around the corner. We lit the heaters, since vegetables could also freeze."

The freezing weather has continued for days. People wrap themselves in heavy clothing and masks, but it's not enough to block the icy chill. Northern Gangwon-do Province has come to a standstill in the thick of winter, due to heavy snowfall followed by a deep freeze.