Jangseong County, First "Historical Figure of the Month" is Forest King Lim Jongguk

Jangseong County in Jeollanam-do has announced that, in celebration of the 2025 Year of Visiting Jangseong, it will select a 'Jangseong Historical Figure of the Month' from March to December. The first figure to be recognized is Chunwon Lim Jongguk (1913-1987), known as the "King of Afforestation," who created the Chukryeongsan Hinoki Cypress Forest.

Jangseong County, Jeonnam.

According to the county on the 13th, after the Korean War left Chukryeongsan barren, Mr. Lim spent 21 years planting hinoki cypress trees, transforming the area into the largest successful afforestation site in the country today. The Chukryeongsan Hinoki Cypress Forest has become a major tourist attraction in Jangseong, and the Korea Forest Service has designated it as a "Beautiful Forest to Preserve for the 22nd Century."

Jangseong County plans to discover and select local historical figures each month through meetings of the Historical Figure of the Month Selection and Operations Committee. County Governor Kim Hanjong stated, "We will widely promote the figures who have brought honor to Jangseong to enhance the pride of our residents."

Meanwhile, the county is operating various educational and experiential programs themed around the Chukryeongsan Hinoki Cypress Forest. These include the "Green Forest Green Hero Carbon Neutrality and Forest Education" program for elementary and middle school students (National Jangseong Forest Center), "Functions of the Forest and Carbon Neutrality" (National Bangjangsan Natural Recreation Forest), and "Forest Healing Program" (Jangseong Hinoki Cypress Garlic Agricultural Cooperative Corporation). There is also a "Carbon Neutral Forest" program (Baekryeondong Hinoki Cypress Farm) for middle and high school students as well as the general public.