PHOTOS: Merry Christmas, 1,004 Santas spread cheer across Seoul

24일 서울 서대문구 연세로에서 열린 2025 사랑의 몰래 산타 대작전 출정식에 참가한 자원봉사자들이 산타 모자를 머리위로 던지고 있다 — Volunteers toss Santa hats into the air during the “Secret Santa Campaign” in Seoul on Dec. 24, 2025. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

SEOUL, December 25 (AJP) - “Merry Christmas!” Bright and spirited voices rang out as volunteers dressed as Santa Claus gathered in the heart of Seoul.
On Tuesday afternoon, volunteers in Santa costumes held a send-off ceremony along Yonsei-ro in Seodaemun District. Marking Christmas Eve, 1,004 Santas set out across the capital to visit underprivileged children, practicing year-end giving and social solidarity.

24일 서울 서대문구 연세로에서 열린 2025 사랑의 몰래 산타 대작전 출정식에 참가한 자원봉사자들이 포즈를 취하고 있다 AJP Yoo Na-hyun — Volunteers pose for photos during the “Secret Santa Campaign” in Seoul on Dec. 24, 2025. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Hosted by Korea Youth Foundation, the “2025 Season 20 Secret Santa Campaign” is a large-scale social contribution event in which 1,004 volunteers personally visit an equal number of underprivileged children’s households to deliver gifts and share the warmth of Christmas. Launched in 2006, the campaign marks its 20th anniversary this year.

24일 서울 서대문구 연세로에서 열린 2025 사랑의 몰래 산타 대작전에서 자원봉사자들이 출정식을 하고 있다 AJP Yoo Na-hyun — Volunteers take part in the “Secret Santa Campaign” in Seoul on Dec. 24, 2025. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

24일 서울 서대문구 연세로에서 열린 '2025 사랑의 몰래 산타 대작전' 출정식에 참가한 자원봉사자가 포즈를 취하고 있다. AJP Yoo Na-hyun — A volunteer poses during the “Secret Santa Campaign” in Seoul on Dec. 24, 2025. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

After the ceremony, participants sat along the street to write handwritten letters to the children they were assigned, before heading out to neighborhoods across Seoul.
To take part as a Secret Santa, volunteers donate 20,000 won ($14) toward the children’s gifts and complete pre-event training, becoming “real Santas” for a day. The campaign’s defining feature is that participants combine personal donations with hands-on volunteer service.

24일 서울 서대문구 연세로에서 열린 ‘2025 사랑의 몰래산타 대작전’ 출정식에서 한 자원봉사자가 동료 봉사자의 망토를 매주고 있다 AJP Yoo Na-hyun — A volunteer helps fasten a cape on a fellow volunteer during the “Secret Santa Campaign” in Seoul on Dec. 24, 2025. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

An official from the foundation said the campaign goes beyond gift-giving. “The Secret Santa Campaign symbolizes social solidarity, as members of the community come together to create Christmas for children,” the official said. “We hope this promise, carried on for 20 years, becomes a day the children will remember for a long time.”

24일 서울 서대문구 연세로에서 열린 ‘2025 사랑의 몰래산타 대작전’ 출정식에서 자원봉사자들이 선물을 포장하고 있다 AJP Yoo Na-hyun — Volunteers wrap gifts during the “Secret Santa Campaign” in Seoul on Dec. 24, 2025. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

24일 서울 서대문구 연세로에서 열린 2025 사랑의 몰래 산타 대작전 출정식에 참가한 자원봉사자들이 길거리에서 편지를 작성하고 있다 AJP Yoo Na-hyun — Volunteers write handwritten letters on the street during the “Secret Santa Campaign” in Seoul on Dec. 24, 2025. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

The Secret Santa Campaign is held nationwide every year and has established itself as a representative year-end volunteer initiative that promotes a culture of sharing and participation through the spirit of Christmas.

24일 서울 서대문구 연세로에서 열린 ‘2025 사랑의 몰래산타 대작전’ 출정식을 마친 자원봉사자들이 선물을 전달하기 위해 이동하고 있다 AJP Yoo Na-hyun — Volunteers head out to deliver gifts during the “Secret Santa Campaign” in Seoul on Dec. 24, 2025. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Yoo Na-hyun shooting@ajupress.com