Photos: Masked fashion models walk Seoul runway

Models wearing a colourful range of face masks walked a runway in South Korea's capital, where health authorities are scrambling to stem a rise in coronavirus infections as people increasingly venture out in public.

Lim Yeon-hee, the chief organiser of the Seoul fashion show, said she hoped to create a cheerful vibe after the nation went through months of grueling anti-virus campaigns.

"The entire world is in a very difficult situation due to COVID-19," said Lim, wearing a glittering pink mask matching the style of her out-sized fedora.

"In addition to an economic slump, activities in culture, arts and sports have also been reduced. ... We should all work together to overcome the crisis."

Similar mask-themed fashion shows have been held in major cities such as Paris and Shanghai.

South Korea's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 41 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 earlier Friday, bringing the national caseload to 13,979, including 298 deaths.

The country has been reporting 20 to 60 new cases per day since easing social distancing measures in early May. Most of the infections have come from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, where about half of South Korea's 51 million people live.

Models wearing masks pose during a mask fashion show in Seoul.

A model presents creations during a fashion show in Seoul.

Models take a selfie during a rehearsal for a fashion show.

A model wearing a face mask takes walks down the runway during a mask fashion show in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, July 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A model presents a creation during a fashion show, wearing a mask as a measure to avoid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Seoul, South Korea July 24, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

A model presents a creation during a fashion show, wearing a mask as a measure to avoid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Seoul, South Korea July 24, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

A model displays a mask during a mask fashion show in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, July 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Seoul: Models wearing face masks pose during a mask fashion show in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, July 24, 2020. AP/PTI(AP24-07-2020_000185B)

A model wearing a face mask takes part in a mask fashion show in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, July 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A model presents a creation during a fashion show, wearing a mask as a measure to avoid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Seoul, South Korea July 24, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Models wearing masks pose during a mask fashion show amid coronavirus pandemic in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, July 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)