Korea Forest Service opens public vote for best mugunghwa potted plant of 2026

The Korea Forest Service has launched an online public vote for its 2026 Mugunghwa Excellence in Potted Plants Competition, aimed at showcasing the beauty of the national flower and raising public awareness.

The agency, led by Commissioner Park Eun-sik, announced Friday that voting will run through Thursday, Aug. 20, under the theme "Pick the Best Mugunghwa Yourself."

Fifty potted mugunghwa plants entered by 10 local governments — including Seoul, the South Jeolla-Gwangju integrated special city (Naju), Incheon and Daejeon — are competing in the event. A series of mugunghwa-related events is also being held across the country, which the agency expects will help boost local economies.

Judging combines on-site evaluations, in which a panel of experts visits each regional venue in person, with the online public vote to reflect public preferences. Final rankings will be determined by combining both scores, and five awards — including a presidential citation — will be presented to institutions that submitted outstanding entries.

Members of the public who wish to participate can cast their votes for the most beautiful potted mugunghwa on the Gukmin Saenggakham website from Friday through Thursday, Aug. 20. Final results will be announced Aug. 31.

"The mugunghwa is the national flower that has accompanied our history and is a source of pride for our people," said Ahn Byeong-gi, head of the Korea Forest Service's Urban Forest Landscape Division. "We ask for your interest and participation in the online public vote, where you can experience the charm of our national flower firsthand and show your support."