It disintegrated after a minute or two, falling into waters 165km (105 miles) west of the South Korean capital, Seoul, the monitors said.

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He started his work a decade ago, inspired by news stories of fishermen and skiers who survived after falling into icy waters or under snow for hours.

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The soothing waters are especially enjoyable when the snow is falling on your head and steam envelops the crowd.

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After dark, I lost hours counting falling stars beneath the dotted canopy of the Milky Way, its sparkling dome mirrored in the placid waters below.

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