Imsil Jangje Murim Designated as a 'National Forest Cultural Asset'

[Imsil=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Nosik] Jangjemurim, a protective forest along Owon Stream in Bangsu-ri, Gwanchon-myeon, Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk, has been designated as a National Forest Cultural Asset.

According to the county on the 3rd, the Korea Forest Service designated Jangjemurim, a protective forest along Owon Stream in Bangsu-ri, Gwanchon-myeon, where the water originating from Demisaem in Palgongsan, Jinan, forms a river-like landscape, as a National Forest Cultural Heritage.

The National Forest Cultural Asset is a forest resource designated and managed after on-site investigation and evaluation of asset value for forests, trees, natural objects, and modern heritage with high ecological, scenic, and emotional preservation value within forests.

Currently, 71 sites including Hongneung Forest in Seoul are designated as National Forest Cultural Assets. In Jeonbuk, starting with the designation of Demisaem, the source of the Seomjin River, in 2015, a total of 13 sites have been designated as National Forest Cultural Assets.

The Jangjemurim, designated upon the county's application this time, consists of old trees such as zelkova, hackberry, and Manchurian ash forming a panoramic forest.

The forest stretches 1000m in length and 30 to 60m in width, forming a band-shaped forest along the stream.

In particular, it is a protective forest created to protect the village and farmland, characterized by a very long major axis compared to other riverine forests.

According to oral tradition, about 300 years ago, the Hwang couple built an embankment as a water control facility for flood prevention and farming, and planted and tended trees to protect the embankment.

The Cheongjanggwanjeonseo, a collection of writings by the late Joseon scholar Lee Deok-mu, also tells the story of the 'Imsil Goblin Bo.'

According to the Unsuji (Imsil County Records) compiled during the first year of King Sukjong of Joseon (1675) under the local magistrate Shin Gye-jing, there was a town site in Bangdong here.

The scenic views surrounding the village were named Bangsu Palgyeong, comparing them to the Eight Scenic Views of Gwandong.

The county plans to strengthen the asset value of forest culture and continuously discover various tangible and intangible forest cultural assets, using the designation of Jangjemurim as a National Forest Cultural Asset as an opportunity.

County Governor Sim Min said, “Jangjemurim boasts beautiful scenery with old trees forming a forest throughout the four seasons,” and added, “We will continue to focus on promoting Imsil, a region with outstanding forest resources and a rich historical heritage.”

Imsil=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Nosik sd2481@asiae.co.kr