Turning to Arirang now, spring is in full bloom across southern Korea, where some of the country's biggest flower festivals began over the weekend, attracting thousands to admire the early blossoms. Here’s Oh Soo-young with the details.

Report

Frail white petals tinged with pink... The plum blossoms cover the mountainous slopes of Jeollanamdo Province, overlooking the Seomjin River.

It's the very picture of spring, which appears to have come round early this year across the southern parts of Korea.

[CG IN]
Pink and white plum blossoms on view through March 27

Visitors from every corner of the peninsula are gathering here in Gwangyang at the Plum Blossom Festival to take in the sheer beauty of the landscape.

[Interview ]
Bae Ji-young / Office worker
(korean)
"I came because it's the earliest flower festival this year. I'm glad I did, because the flowers are so beautiful."

[Interview ]
Lee Hyun-a / Homemaker
(korean)
"We've looked around and taken lots of photos. We've even had plum blossom ice cream."

[Interview]
Park Gyeong-man / Office worker
(Korean)
"My travel club members and I come every year to look at the flowers, enjoy their fragrance and the food. This year, the flowers are more vibrant, more beautiful."

[CG IN]
Fruit used to sweeten variety of foods

And of course, no festival is quite complete without a spot of the local delicacies.

You can sample a bit of spring fresh from the local farm,... where the fruit of the plum blossom tree is squeezed and thickened into syrup.

It adds a sweet and slightly tangy taste, livening up almost any Korean snack or dish.

[Interview]
Kim Mal-lai / Salesperson, Green Plum Farm
(Korean)
"It works well with meat, making it tender and getting rid of the smell. It also goes into making sauces, rice snacks, pickles and tea."

The flower festival is one of many others around the country that opened over the weekend.

[CG IN]
Cornelian cherry flowers on display through March 27

The Gurye Sansuyu Festival also kicked off in Jeollanam-do Province, at the foothills of Mount Jiri.

There, thousands of cornelian cherry, or sansuyu, trees are speckled with small, yellow flowers.

[CAMERA]
Kim Jin-hyub

Breathing in the fresh mountain air, visitors can take a leisurely stroll, exploring the small, picturesque villages as they follow a trail along the creek. And a sip of sansuyu tea makes for the perfect refreshment.

[REPORTER]
Oh Soo-young
"The upper regions of the country still have yet to see the season in full bloom, but down here at the southernmost regions, it's time for flowers, food and festivity! Oh Soo-young, Arirang News, Gwangyang."