- Over 120 Varieties of Mugunghwa on Display for Liberation Day

The Korea Forest Service (KFS), led by Minister LIM Sang-seop, announced that it will hold a Mugunghwa exhibition at the Sejong National Arboretum's Four Seasons Exhibition Greenhouse from August 9th to 11th to commemorate the 79th anniversary of Liberation Day.

This exhibition, a joint effort by the KFS, the National Institute of Forest Science (NIFoS), and the Sejong National Arboretum, is designed to resound the beauty of Mugunghwa, a representative summer flower, and to inspire patriotism.

While Mugunghwa, or Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus L.) comes in various colors such as white, pink, and purple, the red color of the flower's center, known as Dansim, remains unchanged, symbolizing unwavering spirit and integrity. The continuous blooming from summer to autumn mirrors the perseverance and resilience of Koreans.

Having grown in the Korean Peninsula for a long time, the national flower has come to symbolize the spirit of independence and resistance of Koreans during the Japanese occupation, and has been recognized as the national flower by the people.

At this exhibition, the KFS plans to showcase approximately 120 varieties of Mugunghwa, from traditional varieties to newly developed cultivars. In particular, visitors can experience special Mugunghwa varieties such as Byulee and Raon for potted plants, and Haeoreum for roadside trees, among others, developed by NIFoS.

KIM Jooyeol, Director of the Urban Forest and Landscape Division at the KFS, stated, "Mugunghwa holds significant meaning in Korean culture and history. On Liberation Day, we hope that Mugunghwa, with its diverse charms, will become even more beloved by the public."