Seo-yoon Choi, Gwangju City Council Member, Announces Legislative Notice for 'Ordinance on Designation and Management of Protected Trees in Gwangju'

On the 21st, Choi Seo-yoon, a member of the Gwangju City Council in Gyeonggi Province, enacted and announced the legislative notice of the "Ordinance on the Designation and Management of Protected Trees in Gwangju City" to designate and manage protected trees in Gwangju City and to regulate necessary matters for sharing their historical and cultural value.

Namhan Sangseong Protected Tree. Provided by Gyeonggi Gwangju City Council

Gwangju City Council Member Choi Seo-yoon. Provided by Gyeonggi Gwangju City Council

The ordinance, which will be submitted as an agenda item to the Urban Environment Committee of the 315th extraordinary session starting on the 25th, includes contents such as criteria for designating protected trees, management plans after designation, cancellation of designation, establishment of a protected tree review committee, and protected tree guardians. It also contains provisions for regular inspections by tree doctors and arboricultural technicians based on the Forest Protection Act.

Assembly member Choi Seo-yoon stated, "Protected trees that have shared joys and sorrows with village residents for many years are meaningful protected trees that have been loved by the citizens of Gwangju. They embody not only the value of a single tree but also history and culture," and emphasized, "Now is the time for Gwangju City to provide systematic and professional protection according to the Forest Protection Act."

Currently, 70 trees are designated as protected trees in Gwangju City. Representative protected trees of Gwangju include the Zelkova tree in Doma-ri, Toechon-myeon (600 years old), the juniper tree in Sanseong-ri, Namhansanseong-myeon (400 years old), the elm tree in Geombok-ri, Namhansanseong (200 years old), the ginkgo tree in Neuk-hyeon-ri, Chowol-eup (550 years old), the elm tree in Ohyang-ri, Gonjiam-eup (450 years old), and the juniper tree in Jinwoo-ri, Docheok-myeon (400 years old).

Choi Seo-yoon said, "Protected trees are valuable assets of Gwangju City. We have enacted the 'Ordinance on the Designation and Management of Protected Trees in Gwangju City' to protect trees with high historical, cultural, ecological, and educational value," and added, "Residents can recommend trees for designation as protected trees. We ask for the interest and love of all Gwangju citizens."