Cherry Blossom Road Still Out of Control... Anxious Residents Before the Weekend "Please Close It Completely"

On the 24th, as the daytime temperature in Seoul rose to 19 degrees Celsius, bringing fully-fledged spring weather, citizens visiting Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul are enjoying the atmosphere of spring. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Despite the government's recommendation for social distancing amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), cherry blossom viewing spots are crowded with spring visitors as the cherry blossom blooming season coincides. The efforts of the government and local governments to cancel festivals and control streets have become almost meaningless. As a result, concerns among residents near cherry blossom spots have grown.

Recently, a petition titled "Request to control the area around Yeouido where cherry blossoms bloom" was posted on the Blue House's national petition board. Due to the COVID-19 situation, local governments canceled the 'Yeouido Spring Flower Festival,' which is usually held in early April, and started controlling cherry blossom paths, but the petition points out that citizens are flocking to areas not subject to control zones.

The petitioner expressed concern, saying, "On the weekend (March 28-29), an enormous number of illegal vehicles occupied the roads in Yeouido, and many people sat on the grass enjoying the weather and flowers. They did not wear masks while eating and drinking alcohol," adding, "If an unspecified number of people come into contact like this, the number of confirmed cases will increase exponentially."

They continued, "People are gathering in Yeouido saying that although the festival is canceled, the flowers still bloom. But isn't this not the time to sit by the Han River, clinking glasses and laughing?" and requested, "Please control the Han River Park and other areas at least on weekends."

In fact, the number of visitors to Han River Park last weekend, as pointed out by the petitioner, was about 1,434,000. This is a 28% increase compared to about 1,119,000 visitors during the same period last year. The Seoul Metropolitan Government analyzed that the increase was due to young people and families who lost places to go because of COVID-19.

A resident living near Yeouinaru Station said, "As the weather warms up, more people have been visiting here on both weekdays and weekends," expressing concern, "Especially on weekends, going out itself feels uneasy."

They added, "Since the control started, it seems that more people are flocking to the Han River near Yeouinaru Station, which is not designated as a control zone," and said, "The problem is that residential areas are concentrated in Dong-Yeouido, which is not a control zone. There is a need to expand the control zones." In fact, the Yeouido Yunjungno cherry blossom path controlled by Seoul City does not include the area from the southern end of Seogang Bridge Yeouiseo-ro, where apartment complexes are densely located, to Dong-Yeouido behind the National Assembly building where the spring flower festival is held every year.

Seoul City announced on the 3rd that to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, seven bus stops near Yeouido Yunjung-ro will be closed this weekend (April 4-5), and 17 bus routes will be temporarily rerouted. The photo shows the bus non-operation sections near Yeouido Yunjung-ro on April 4-5. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Accordingly, Seoul City plans to have trains pass without stopping at Yeouinaru Station on Subway Line 5 flexibly on Saturday the 4th if passenger congestion occurs, in preparation for the influx of visitors to Yeouido Yunjungno cherry blossom path despite the festival cancellation. To prevent inconvenience to citizens caused by sudden non-stop passage, advance announcements will be made through guidance broadcasts.

Additionally, seven bus stops near Yeouido Yunjungno will be closed, and 17 bus routes will be temporarily rerouted. The bus stops closed on weekends include Yeouido Full Gospel Church, Yeouido Park, Yeouinaru Station, and Yeouido Middle School. The 17 routes that will bypass these stops without stopping are Seoul buses 461, 463, 753, 5633, 5713, 6623, 5615, 5618, 7613, 261, 5534, 360, 662, 7611, 262, Yeongdeungpo 10, and Yeongdeungpo 11. Among Gyeonggi Province bus routes, Gimpo 1002, Yongin 7007-1, Goyang 108, and Bucheon 10 will also follow the same rerouting.

Shin Yongmok, head of the Han River Project Headquarters at Seoul City, said, "We have prepared special operation measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the cherry blossom blooming season and to enhance the safety of citizens using Han River Park," and urged, "We ask for restraint in cherry blossom viewing this year to practice social distancing."