Guri-si, On-site Investigation for the Designation of 1,200-Year-Old Ginkgo Tree as a Natural Monument

National Heritage Agency Conducts Field Survey of Potential Natural Heritage Resources

Guri City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun) announced on the 20th that it conducted an on-site investigation on the 14th for the designation of a ginkgo tree estimated to be about 1,200 years old within the Korea National Oil Corporation Guri Branch as a natural monument.

Officials from Guri City conducted an on-site investigation on the 14th at the Korea National Oil Corporation's Guri branch for the designation of a ginkgo tree, estimated to be about 1,200 years old, as a natural monument. Provided by Guri City

This investigation was conducted following Guri City's request to the Cultural Heritage Administration in October 2023 to designate the "Guri Acheon-dong Ginkgo Tree" as a cultural asset. Officials from the Cultural Heritage Administration, Guri City, and the Korea National Oil Corporation Guri Branch jointly verified literature and records regarding the tree's age, while closely examining the tree's growth condition, surrounding environment, and management status.

The Acheon-dong ginkgo tree has served as the guardian tree of the village and has historically been the stage for traditional events such as the swing festival and Dangsanje ritual of Umnae Village. It was designated as a protected tree by Gyeonggi Province in 1982 and has been managed by the city since then.

Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun of Guri City stated, “Through this investigation by the Cultural Heritage Administration, we have taken a step closer to designating the ginkgo tree, the city tree of Guri, as a natural monument. We will strive even harder to establish Guri as a distinguished city through the designation of the 1,200-year-old ginkgo tree, which is a pride of Guri City.”