Friends dive into the cool ocean together.

They cut through the white foam to beat the heat and enjoy the leisure of the summer sun while sitting on the sandy beach.

Even on a weekday, the beach is bustling with vacationers eager to enjoy the start of summer.

Haeundae Beach in Busan, one of Korea's most iconic summer destinations, officially opened today (June 26).

Convenience facilities, including shower rooms and rental shops for beach gear, have also begun operations, ready to welcome visitors.

The beach is already drawing crowds, from college students who have finished their final exams to foreign tourists visiting Busan, all enjoying the early summer sea.

[Interview: Park Seul-bi, Ahn Ye-ju, Oh Da-hee / Gangdong-gu, Seoul: This is our first trip together with our high school friends since starting college. Coming here on opening day, there are so many people and the atmosphere is so vibrant; it is just great. The best! The best!]

[Interview: Isabel Caba, Amaury Caba / New York City, USA: Haeundae Beach is truly beautiful and a place where you feel at ease. The waves and the seawater are so charming that I want to jump in right away. We are having such a wonderful time thanks to this.]

Safety management has also been strengthened ahead of the peak vacation season.

Lifeguards have been stationed at various points to prepare for emergencies, and jellyfish nets and emergency treatment centers are in operation to prevent stings.

As the start of summer arrives earlier each year and late-season heat is expected to continue through September, Haeundae Beach will remain open until September 15.

This is the second consecutive year that the beach has extended its operations into September.

Last year, approximately 9.994 million people visited Haeundae Beach.

Busan City aims to attract at least 5,000 more tourists this year to set a record as the first beach in Korea to reach 10 million visitors.

Gwangalli Beach in Busan, the third most visited beach in the country, is also scheduled to open on July 1.

In addition, other major beaches across the country, such as Daecheon in South Chungcheong Province and Gyeongpo in Gangneung, are set to open sequentially starting in July.

Reported by Kim su-yun | Video by Jung Gyeong-mun | Graphics by Jang Seong-beom | Produced by SBS Digital News