In South Korea, a movement led by ecologist Shin Joon Hwan aims to replace Japanese Yoshino cherry trees with a native variety called the king cherry. This initiative is part of a complex debate over the origins of South Korea's cherry trees, entangled with nationalist propaganda and genetic evolution. The project, which seeks to replace all Yoshinos by 2050, has sparked controversy and criticism from experts, but proponents argue that it is a worthwhile endeavor. The group has already surveyed cherry trees in prominent locations and aspires to promote the king cherry as a symbol of Korean identity. This movement has also garnered respect from arborists in Japan.