[Weekly Photo] 'Seol is Seol Even in the Era of High Inflation'

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Dong-joo] In the week leading up to the Lunar New Year holiday, traditional markets and shopping malls are bustling with the footsteps of ordinary people preparing ancestral rites and holiday gifts. Even those who rarely open their wallets in this era of high interest rates and high prices open them for the sake of enjoying joyful times with family members who gather during the holiday. This week's Weekly Photo captures scenes of the Lunar New Year market ahead of the nation's biggest holiday, Seol.

On the afternoon of the 15th, one week before Seollal, Cheongnyangni General Market in Dongdaemun-gu is bustling with citizens shopping for ancestral rites supplies. Photo by Yonhap News

On the afternoon of the 15th, one week before Seollal, Cheongnyangni General Market in Dongdaemun-gu is bustling with citizens shopping for ancestral rites supplies. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 16th, five days before the Lunar New Year holiday, citizens are selecting gift fruits at the Seobu Agricultural and Marine Products Market in Maewol-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 19th, three days before the Lunar New Year holiday, a merchant is making garaetteok at Yeongdeungpo Traditional Market in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Three days before the Lunar New Year holiday, a vendor is frying jeon at Yeongdeungpo Traditional Market in Seoul on the 19th. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Three days before the Lunar New Year holiday, gift sets of Hangwa are being sold at Yeongdeungpo Traditional Market in Seoul on the 19th. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

On the 19th, three days before the Lunar New Year holiday, a merchant is preparing for business at Yeongdeungpo Traditional Market in Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@