Cherry blossom trees are in full bloom in Sokcho, Gangwon Province. Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

The cherry blossom festival of Sokcho in Gangwon Province will close 15 years after its establishment due to a lack of workers amid the aging of its residents and a declining population in the region.

Founded in 2009, the festival in Sokcho's Sangdomun Village had garnered recognition among springtime picnickers here, offering scenic views of the cherry blossom tunnels along the way to Mount Seorak and other nearby regional food-based specialties.

However, the event was canceled in 2019 due to a massive wildfire that wreaked havoc in mountainous towns of Gangwon Province. In addition, it was also suspended from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It resumed last year.

Despite its popularity, the annual event has faced operational difficulties as the members of the women's association of the village, which took the leading roles in preparing for the festival, are now in their 70s and 80s.

This year, the residents have finally decided to abolish the festival due to the lack of young people in the town.

"More than half of the residents have aged to over 65 and it is, unfortunately, no longer possible to hold the festival that receives over 10,000 visitors every year," the residents said.

According to the city government, the village has a total population of 343 people and 173 of them are now aged over 65.