Coldstone Creamery, which CJ Foodville operates in Korea, will close its business here.

CJ Foodville said Monday it would close the U.S. ice-cream chain's Korean business on Dec. 20.

The company said the Korean ice-cream market was saturated, and that it would focus on other businesses.

The chain opened its first Korean store in Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul, in July 2006 and had 66 stores in 2010.

But the number of stores was reduced to 50 the following year, and stores have continued to close.

Coldstone is known for its staff mixing various types of fruit and ice-cream on a cold stone slab.