The first sun of the year rises in red hues over the eastern sky, as seen from the summit of Gamak mountain in Geochang county, South Gyeongsang Province on Thursday. (Geochang county, Yonhap)
As the new year began, people across the nation on Thursday headed out to watch the first sunrise of the year, wishing for new hope.
Despite a cold wave and biting winds, their resolve to greet the sunrise remained undeterred. This year marks the Year of the Byeongo, also known as the Year of the red horse.
Below are scenes of people and soldiers gathering at sunrise spots nationwide to mark the new year and make new year's resolutions.
Citizens watch the sunrise at Haengjusanseong Fortress in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on the first day of 2026, on Thursday. (Goyang City Hall, Yonhap)
The first sun rises over the Soyang river in Gangwon Province on Thursday. (Yonhap)
Citizens wait for the sunrise atop Inwang mountain in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)
Sunrise visitors watch the first sun of the year, rising over the sea off Tomb of King Munmu in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province on Thursday. (Yonhap)
Soldiers of the Imjin River Battalion under the 9th Infantry Division vow to strengthen military readiness while watching the New Year’s sunrise at Odusan Unification Observatory in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on Thursday. (The 9th Infantry Division, Yonhap)
