Lunar New Year: Family, food and colour as millions celebrate Year of the Snake

Photo courtesy Hola!

By Hyunjung Kim

In South Korea, the Lunar New Year holiday is not just a time for family gatherings. It’s also a political battlefield.

Leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties usually visit major train stations and express bus terminals ahead of the holiday to greet voters who are travelling home.

Traditionally, these holiday meet-and-greets have been a golden opportunity for political parties to connect with many citizens in a single bustling location.

But this Lunar New Year, there is more tension than usual.

Hong Kong residents make wishes for Year of the Snake

With suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol facing impeachment over his declaration of martial law, the country has been in political chaos over the last two months. This has driven not only the two major parties but also smaller parliamentary parties to roll up their sleeves and hit the streets, hoping to sway public sentiment in their favour.

For politicians, this holiday season is more than just a PR opportunity; it’s a crucial opportunity to court the support of an electorate that could soon be heading to the polls.

Read on here.

First published at BBC News, January 28, 2025