Priority on Foot-and-Mouth Disease Prevention... Naju 'Geumsajeong Dongbaek Festival' Postponed

Postponed from the Original Date of the 29th to May 3rd

Naju City has tentatively postponed the "Wanggok-myeon Geumsajeong Camellia Festival," originally scheduled for the 29th, to May 3rd due to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in the province. The photo shows Geumsajeong located in Songjuk-ri, Wanggok-myeon, and a camellia tree over 500 years old. Provided by Naju City

Naju City in Jeollanam-do has postponed the "Wanggok-myeon Geumsajeong Camellia Festival," originally scheduled for the 29th, to May 3rd due to the recent spread of foot-and-mouth disease in the province.

According to Naju City on the 27th, as of the 26th, there have been a total of 14 confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Jeollanam-do (13 in Yeongam and 1 in Muan).

A city official stated, "We have postponed the Geumsajeong Camellia Festival to May 3rd, prioritizing the safety of local livestock farmers and residents," and added, "We will do our best to widely inform the public about the postponement to minimize inconvenience for residents and tourists."

Meanwhile, Geumsajeong, located in Songjuk-ri, Wanggok-myeon, Naju, is a pavilion built by 11 Confucian scholars from Naju who submitted a petition to save Jo Gwangjo in the 14th year of King Jungjong of Joseon (1519). After returning to their hometown, they organized a society called Geumganggye and constructed the pavilion.

These scholars, lamenting the harshness of politics and pledging to remain steadfast, planted camellia trees symbolizing unchanging integrity. These trees have taken root for over 500 years and continue to bloom every year to this day.

Naju City plans to hold the first Wanggok Geumsajeong Camellia Festival on May 3rd to preserve the historical and cultural value of the Geumsajeong camellia trees, develop local tourism resources, and promote harmony among residents.