South Korea is at the height of its winter festival season, with the mild weather over the weekend helping draw crowds.

On Sunday, the Polar Bear Festival was held at Haeundae Beach in Busan, where more than 20,000 visitors plunged into the sea to embrace the winter chill with their whole bodies. Dressed in vibrant swimsuits, families, couples and friends savored the charm of the winter sea.

Participants head toward the sea during the 39th Polar Bear Festival at Haeundae Beach in Busan on Sunday. (Yonhap)
Participants head toward the sea during the 39th Polar Bear Festival at Haeundae Beach in Busan on Sunday. (Yonhap)
Participants splash in the frigid seawater during the 39th Polar Bear Festival held at Haeundae Beach in Busan on Sunday. (Yonhap)
Participants splash in the frigid seawater during the 39th Polar Bear Festival held at Haeundae Beach in Busan on Sunday. (Yonhap)

Milder weather also drew large crowds to the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival held in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province.

The festival, which opened on Jan. 10 and runs through Feb. 1, features ice fishing for mountain trout on a frozen river, hands-on fish-catching events and snow sledding. It has attracted about 570,000 visitors so far, drawing families and tourists seeking unique winter experiences.

Visitors enjoy winter fishing during the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, on Saturday. (Yonhap)
Visitors enjoy winter fishing during the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, on Saturday. (Yonhap)

Tourists take part in ice fishing in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, on Saturday. (Yonhap)
Tourists take part in ice fishing in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, on Saturday. (Yonhap)

cjh@heraldcorp.com