15일 국립중앙박물관 보신각종을 둘러싼 매화나무가 꽃망울을 터뜨리며 봄이 왔음을 알리고 있다.

Apricot flowers begin to bud at the Boshingak Bell at the National Museum of Korea on March 15, showing us that spring has sprung.

Seoul’s weather in the middle of March can still be a bit chilly in the mornings and evenings, and some parts of the city center still have remnants of the recent winter past. Commuters on the street corner still wear winter jackets, and many trees along the boulevards are still naked and brown.

Though southern Korea has sent out news of spring and blooming flowers, realizing the season here in Seoul remains somewhat difficult. Nonetheless, even if we haven’t noticed, spring has already sprung here in the capital. On March 15, five days prior to the vernal equinox, apricot flowers and azaleas on the grounds of the National Museum of Korea have just barely begun to bloom, and sprouts have also have begun to bud amid the remnants of winter along the paths in the forest park adjacent to the museum.

15일 국립중앙박물관에 뿌리를 내리고 있는 매화나무들이 하나, 둘 꽃 망울을 터뜨리기 시작했다.

Apricot trees begin to bloom on the grounds of the National Museum of Korea on March 15.

Cherry blossoms marking the peak of spring will burst across Seoul on April 6 this year, says the Korea Meteorological Administration, and the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, Seoul’s most well-known spring festival, will begin along the Yunjungno in Yeouido on April 4.

By Jeon Han, Chang Iou-chung
Korea.net Staff Writers
Photos: Jeon Han
hanjeon@korea.kr

15일 국립중앙박물관 주차장으로 향하는 길에 자리잡은 진달래들의 꽃망울이 점점 더 커지고 그 색도 선명해지고 있는 가운데 간간히 꽃을 활짝 피운 모습을 볼 수 있다.

Azaleas begin to bloom on March 15 along a path at the National Museum of Korea. Some flowers are even already fully bloomed, showing off their deep pink petals.

 

15일 국립중앙박물관의 매화나무 줄기줄기에 자리 잡은 꽃망울들이 꽃을 피우기 시작했다.

Apricot flowers begin to bloom at the National Museum of Korea on March 15.

 

겨울 내 땅속에서 추위를 견디고 땅 위로 올라온 새싹들이 따스한 봄볕을 맞으며 꽃들이 만개한 완연한 봄을 기다리고 있다.

After enduring the cold of winter, budding sprouts enjoy the spring warmth of the sun. They wait for spring to come and for all the flowers to bloom.