Million citizens rush to east coast to greet first sunrise

About 400,000 automobiles carrying over a million people made their way Sunday to the east coast regions of Kangwon and South Kyongsang provinces to see the first sunrise of year 2001. Massive traffic tie-ups are expected when they head back home on Monday.

Along the eastern coast in Kangwon, Kangnung, and Jungdongjin, over 100,000 people had gathered by Sunday morning and around 200,000 were assembled on Kyungpo Beach, all looking forward to viewing the rising sun as they bid farewell to the year 2000.

Over 200,000 people also had gathered by Sunday morning in resort and mountain areas lining the coast, including Sokcho Beach, Naksan Beach and Mt. Sorak.