<Anchor> The



streets of Myeong-dong, Seoul, which were quiet during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now lively again.

This is because the number of foreign tourists is increasing.

However, on the 24th, the day before Christmas, all the street vendors are closed.



Reporter Kim Hye-min covered the reason.



<Reporter> The



streets of Myeong-dong are crowded with people from early evening.



There are many foreign tourists, and there are many nationalities.



[Angelin/Singapore Tourist: (In Korea) I saw snow for the first time.

It doesn't get cold when it snows, but when it stops, it seems to get colder.

It was a good experience.]



[Joya/Australian tourist: (Korea) Everything is delicious, and the people here are really warm and kind.

It's such a lovely place.]



Foreign tourists visiting Myeong-dong have increased since last October, when corona quarantine was gradually lifted.



Food stalls that foreigners like and menus in foreign languages ​​stand out.



[Mr. Kim / Myeong-dong street vendor: Foreigners really like Korean strawberries.

You can say that almost 90% of (buyers) are foreigners.]



[Mr. Han/Myeongdong Street Vendor: Jajangmyeon comes out when you watch Korean dramas.

There are many people who come while doing this.]



Merchants are also attracting customers by learning various foreign languages.



[Yoon Na-ra/Myeong-dong street vendor: If it's delicious, come again.

I'm going to buy a souvenir.

souvenir!

Souvenirs!]



Myeong-dong Street is lively like this, but you won't see any street vendors on Christmas Eve.



This is because the Seoul Jung-gu Office and street vendors decided to take a day off from business in preparation for an influx of people.



In fact, when I figured out the crowd density in Myeong-dong, on December 24, people flocked to the street where street vendors were lined up.



[Han Doo-hee/Myeong-dong street vendor: That day (the 24th) is the best business day.

I don't think there should ever be such a disaster.

Rather than just vacating our seats, let's serve.

I decided to hold a light stick and make communication smooth.] The



ward office and merchants said they would watch the situation on the 24th and decide whether to operate reductions on the 31st, the last day of this year.



(Video coverage: Seo Jin-ho, Video editing: Lee Hong-myeong)