Lantern Festival in South Korea (18 images)

Fireworks burst over Jinjuseong Fortress and the floating lanterns in the Namgang River during a commencement ceremony for the first day of the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, or the Jinju Lantern Festival, in Jinju, South Korea on October 1, 2012. The festival, which runs Oct. 1 to 14, originated during the Japanese invasion of 1592 when Koreans lit lanterns to illuminate the Namgang River surrounding Jinjuseong Fortress to prevent Japanese troops from crossing. A tradition during the festival are the floating lanterns carrying peoples wishes. UPI/Thomas Michael Corcoran

Fireworks burst over Jinjuseong Fortress and the floating lanterns in the Namgang River during a commencement ceremony for the first day of the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, or the Jinju Lantern Festival, in Jinju, South Korea on October 1, 2012. The festival, which runs Oct. 1 to 14, originated during the Japanese invasion of 1592 when Koreans lit lanterns to illuminate the Namgang River surrounding Jinjuseong Fortress to prevent Japanese troops from crossing. A tradition during the festival are the floating lanterns carrying peoples wishes. UPI/Thomas Michael Corcoran

Fireworks burst over Jinjuseong Fortress and the floating lanterns in the Namgang River during a commencement ceremony for the first day of the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, or the Jinju Lantern Festival, in Jinju, South Korea on October 1, 2012. The festival, which runs Oct. 1 to 14, originated during the Japanese invasion of 1592 when Koreans lit lanterns to illuminate the Namgang River surrounding Jinjuseong Fortress to prevent Japanese troops from crossing. A tradition during the festival are the floating lanterns carrying peoples wishes. UPI/Thomas Michael Corcoran

Women dressed in traditional Korean clothes, playing traditional instruments parade past Jinjuseong Fortress during the first day of the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, or the Jinju Lantern Festival, in Jinju, South Korea on October 1, 2012. The festival, which runs Oct. 1 to 14, originated during the Japanese invasion of 1592 when Koreans lit lanterns to illuminate the Namgang River surrounding Jinjuseong Fortress to prevent Japanese troops from crossing. A tradition during the festival are the floating lanterns carrying peoples wishes. UPI/Thomas Michael Corcoran