Shincheonji Volunteer Group in Hanam, South Korea: “Bloom the Mugunghwa” Campaign Two-Year Results Revealed

- Promoting Korea’s national flower through community planting, donations, and care activities

Shincheonji Hanam volunteer gives a Mugunghwa seedling to a resident

The Hanam branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group in South Korea has officially compiled and finalized a report on its two-year “Bloom the Mugunghwa” campaign, in which the branch itself conducted donations of Mugunghwa seedlings and activities to promote awareness of Korea’s national flower.

“Bloom the Mugunghwa” is a volunteer initiative aimed at raising public appreciation for the Mugunghwa, the national flower of South Korea. The Hanam branch has conducted hands-on educational activities for local residents and distributed Mugunghwa seedlings free of charge.
Based on this awareness, the Hanam branch has been actively running the donation and awareness campaign since 2025. The primary activity involved operating promotional booths for citizens. At high-traffic areas such as Misa Station Square and local festivals in Hanam, the branch conducted public surveys on Mugunghwa awareness, OX quizzes, and distributed seedlings to residents.
Educational and hands‑on experiences were also provided at local childcare centers, senior centers, and other community care facilities. These activities included basic introductions to the Mugunghwa flower, an overview of Mugunghwa distribution in the Hanam area, and pot‑planting experiences. In addition, the branch donated and planted Mugunghwa seedlings at a farm operated by the Clean Hanam Senior Association, whose members are part of the Korea Military Merit Awardees Association—a national organization of decorated veterans honored for service to the Republic of Korea—symbolizing gratitude and respect for those who served the nation.
Over the past two years, the Hanam branch has conducted a total of 27 activities as part of the campaign, with 239 participants contributing a combined 556 volunteer hours. A total of 359 Mugunghwa seedlings were distributed to the public.

The campaign originated from the observation that, despite being the national flower, public interest in the Mugunghwa remains relatively low. A 2022 survey on preferred flowering trees conducted by the Korea Forest Service ranked the Mugunghwa eighth, reflecting that opportunities to encounter the flower in daily life are limited.

The Hanam branch plans to continue these donation and awareness activities next year. In addition to ongoing citizen-focused campaigns, they aim to expand seedling donations to government offices and public institutions where Mugunghwa is not yet planted.

A representative of the Hanam branch said, “We will continue efforts to make the Mugunghwa a flower that people can naturally encounter in their daily lives through community-based planting and awareness activities.”