[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] SK Innovation will create the 'SK Ulsan Forest of Happiness' in the Ulsan region, where its core business sites are located, ahead of its 60th anniversary next month on the 13th.
On the 26th, SK Innovation announced that it held a tree-planting event for the 'SK Ulsan Forest of Happiness' in the wildfire-affected area of Ulju-gun, Ulsan Metropolitan City, together with Ulsan Metropolitan City and Ulju-gun. Attendees included Kim Doo-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City, Lee Soon-geol, Ulju-gun Governor, and Kim Joon, Vice Chairman of SK Innovation.
SK Innovation is sponsoring 1 billion KRW to plant 180,000 wild cherry trees over 60 hectares (ha) of forest in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, which was damaged by wildfires in 2020.
The area where the forest will be created is a hill about 1.5 km south of the Donghae Expressway Ulju Junction. It is known for its outstanding scenery, harmonizing with the Hoeya River and natural wetlands. In spring, azaleas and various flowers bloom together, and from the mountain summit, one can see the entire city of Ulsan at a glance, making it beloved by local residents. However, in March 2020, a wildfire turned 519 hectares of forest?equivalent to 727 soccer fields?into ashes, causing great sorrow in the local community.
The main tree species SK Innovation will plant is the wild cherry tree. The wild cherry tree has water vessels evenly distributed in its growth rings, resulting in a consistent moisture content. Due to this characteristic, it is considered fire-resistant. During the reign of King Hyojong of the Joseon Dynasty, it was extensively planted to make bows in preparation for northern expeditions. Approximately two-thirds of the 81,258 wooden printing blocks of the Haeinsa Temple Tripitaka Koreana in Hapcheon were made from wild cherry wood.
Afforestation will be carried out twice, avoiding the severe cold season, in October and November this year and February and March next year. SK Innovation plans to conduct volunteer tree-planting activities during the optimal planting periods to create the forest. Ulsan Metropolitan City and Ulju-gun will provide post-planting care and monitoring to ensure the trees grow well.
Kim Doo-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City, said, "We are grateful that SK Innovation has generously sponsored the recovery efforts." He added, "We hope that the city, SK Innovation, and Ulju-gun will cooperate to develop the next 60 years of Ulsan and SK Innovation together."
Kim Joon, Vice Chairman of SK Innovation, said, "SK is a company that loves talent and forests. Our late chairman managed the company with the philosophy of nurturing people as one nurtures trees and cultivating forests as one cultivates talent." He added, "Having grown with the love and companionship of Ulsan, SK Innovation hopes to create greater coexistence and happiness with Ulsan for the next 60 years."
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