[Anchor]

Fall foliage is currently at its peak across the central regions, including the greater Seoul area. Next week, the vibrant autumn colors are expected to extend to the southern parts of the country.

Reporter Lee Hyun-jung visited various spots to capture citizens enjoying the red-tinted autumn scenery.

[Reporter]

The cityscape viewed from Namsan Mountain is dyed in vibrant shades of autumn foliage.

Out with family and friends upon hearing the news that peak foliage has arrived in the greater Seoul area, citizens are fully enjoying the crisp autumn weather.

People gather in small groups to take commemorative photos,

[Park Soon-young / Seoul resident: It is a walking club for health. The weather on the last day of October is so wonderful that we managed a spontaneous meetup, and about 40 people came out.]

They are also excited at the prospect of traveling along the nation's autumn foliage trails this fall season.

[Yoon Joo-won / Goyang resident, Gyeonggi Province: We are thinking of starting from Namsan and gradually heading down south. We want to visit Danyang and anywhere else with plenty of fall colors, and we can go anytime with our bicycles.]

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At the royal palace, fallen leaves color the edges of the traditional tiled eaves.

[Cha Ro-ah / Suwon resident, Gyeonggi Province: We came on a palace tour for an autumn outing. The weather is really nice.]

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, fall foliage reached its peak this weekend at mountains in the central regions, including Bukhansan, Gyeryongsan, and Jirisan.

Next week, as the chilly autumn weather with wide temperature ranges continues, foliage is expected to deepen across the southern regions as well.

Today (October 31), expressways nationwide experienced congestion due to vehicles heading from Seoul to provincial areas for foliage trips. Tomorrow, Sunday, traffic congestion will be concentrated on routes heading toward Seoul, with travel times estimated to take up to 6 hours and 30 minutes from Busan to Seoul and up to 4 hours and 40 minutes from Gwangju to Seoul, with peak congestion expected between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

(Camera Reporter: Chang Woon-seok | Video Editor: Choi Hye-ran | Designer: Lee Ga-jin)