Masked spectators and cheerleaders mark return of baseball fans to venues in South Korea - in pictures

Authorities restrict attendance to 10 per cent of venue capacity

A fan cheers during the KBO league game between Doosan Bears and LG Twins in Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday. Authorities began bringing back spectators in professional sports games amid the coronavirus pandemic. AP

Fans wearing face masks cheer during the KBO league game between Doosan Bears and LG Twins in Seoul on Sunday. AP

Fans take a selfie before the KBO league game between Doosan Bears and LG Twins in Seoul. AP

Infielder Kim Yong-Eui f LG Twins bats in the top of eighth inning during the KBO League game against Doosan Bears at the Jamsil Stadium on Sunday. Getty

Infielder Kim Yong-Eui LG Twins slides into home base at the Jamsil Stadium on Sunday. Getty

Cheerleaders and fans of the KT Wiz root for their Korea Baseball Organisation club against the NC Dinos while wearing masks and maintaining distance at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, South Korea, on Sunday. EPA

Fans line up Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday. EPA

Fans of the Doosan Bears cheer at the Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. EPA

Fans enter the Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. EPA

A fan has his temperature checked before entering Jamsil Baseball Stadium for the match between the Doosan Bears and the LG Twins. EPA

South Korean baseball has started accepting fans to stadiums, restricted to 10 per cent of the venue capacity. Getty

Fans during the match between Doosan Bears and LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul. AFP

Baseball fans cheer as they observe social distancing during the KBO league baseball game between Seoul-based Doosan Bears and LG Twins at Jamsil stadium. AFP

Baseball fans sit in the stands as they observe social distancing at Jamsil stadium in Seoul. AFP

Masked fans and cheerleaders brought some much needed noise and atmosphere to baseball stadiums in South Korea on Sunday as authorities started allowing spectators to return to professional sports amid the coronavirus pandemic.

South Korea’s 2020 baseball season started in early May without fans in the stands. Seats at baseball venues were then filled with banners, dolls and pictures of fans.

On Sunday, the Korean Baseball Organisation allowed a limited number of fans, or 10 per cent of the stadium capacity, to watch games live. They entered stadiums after their temperatures were checked. During the games, they were required to wear masks and sit at least a seat apart while being banned from having food or beverages.