Canola flower are in full blossom on Jeju Island on Jan. 7, 2020, as the island’s daily high temperature rose to 23 C. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 1 (Korea Bizwire) — Residents of a local village on Jeju Island, popular for its spring flowers, are concerned due to the influx of tourists despite the ‘social distancing’ movement to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
Residents, concerned over an increasing number of tourists, have decided to plow up canola flowers earlier than scheduled.
The Gasiri Village Association in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island asked administrative authorities to plow up canola flowers in bloom at the Noksan-ro and Jeju Horse Park square.
Normally, canola flowers are cut between late April and mid-May. Every spring, canola flowers and cherry blossoms attract tourists to Noksan-ro. This year, however, tourists are something to be shunned by local residents.
Residents are worried that incoming tourists would bring in the risk of a coronavirus spread.
The Jeju Flower Festival, in its 38th year, decided to cancel this year’s festivities.
Noksan-ro, the road where the festival used to be held, is counted as one of the most beautiful drives on the island, a stretch of 10 kilometers filled with an endless stream of spring blossoms and canola flowers.
This year, that ‘beauty’ turned into a liability, with local authorities currently considering plowing up all of the flowers.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
