[Photo] 2018 school year begins

Students greet each other for the first time at the entrance ceremony of the Dongho Elementary School in the Oksu district of Seoul on Mar. 2. (by Shin So-young, staff reporter)

The 2018 school year begins on Monday, and entrance ceremonies were held for incoming students at several public schools in Seoul on Mar. 2, including the Dongho Elementary School in the Oksu district of the capital. 107 incoming students at the school were admitted into five classes during the event. This year, there are 77,252 students entering into Seoul public schools, which is a drop of 1615 from the previous year. (by Shin So-young, staff reporter)

A 6th grade student reads a welcoming letter written for incoming students at the entrance ceremony of the Dongho Elementary School in the Oksu district of Seoul on Mar. 2. (by Shin So-young, staff reporter)

A girl yawns during the Pledge of Allegiance during the entrance ceremony of the Dongho Elementary School in the Oksu district of Seoul on Mar. 2. (by Shin So-young, staff reporter)

A young boy smiles at his future classmate during the entrance ceremony of the Dongho Elementary School in the Oksu district of Seoul on Mar. 2. (by Shin So-young, staff reporter)