Update 4/3/2025 Cherry blossom season has begun!
Cherry blossoms will start to bloom on Jeju Island around March 22 and then work their way up the Korean Peninsula. They’ll start to bloom in Seoul around April 1 and reach peak bloom there by April 8.
For those in Seoul, Yeouido is a famous place to see the cherry blossoms.
Cherry blossom – 벚꽃 beot-kkeot
This weekend kicked off the annual cherry blossom/spring festival at Seoul’s Yeouido (Yeoui Island). There are over 1400 cherry blossom trees there.
When: Friday April 12 thru Thursday April 18
Where: Yeouido, Seoul
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Update: ex-President Park Geun-Hye is currently in prison
Korea’s new President, Park Geun-Hye, had her inauguration today at the National Assembly building on Seoul’s Yeouido (island) alongside 77,000 selected citizens and politicians. The post-inaugural parade took her to Gwanghwmun Plaza in northern Seoul and finally to the nearby capitol building, Cheong Wa Dae. This is a return to the Blue House for Park since she already lived there for 15 years as the daughter of the late President Chung-Hee. She was also promoted to the post of First Lady for five years, following the assassination of her mother in 1974. Interesting fact: President Park holds a bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering (1974) and can speak five languages.
Vocabulary:
President – 대통령 daetong-nyeong
Park Geun-Hye – 박근혜
Korea Times links: (in English and Korean)
Inauguration Day ceremony
Park Geun-Hye’s Speech
