Street Tents to Be Driven Out from Yoonjung Street, Youido

In an effort to prevent public intoxication and extortion which have plagued the Yoonjung Cherry Blossom Festival in the past, the Yongdungpo-gu ward office aanounced a ban on the sale of alcohol for the duration of the festival. During the festival, which will be held through the middle of April, illegal street soju vendors will be prevented from doing business. However, tents serving traditional Korean foods will be allowed to do business during the festival - as long as they do not sell alcohol.

The Yongdungpo-gu ward office announced that the ban on the sale of soju to prevent gangsters from extorting money from vendors during the festival. The festival is a major tourist attraction with over 2.5 million visitors attending the festival last year.

In related news, the Meteorological Administration forecasts that the cherry blossoms are expected to begin blooming April 12.

by Yang Young-Yul