A Protected Tree That Has Stood by Residents for 428 Years
Becomes a National Symbol in the 30th Anniversary of County Restoration
Gijang-gun in Busan announced on the 11th that the Gomsot pine tree in Jukseong-ri has been finally selected as the "2025 Tree of the Year," a project promoted by the Korea Forest Service.
The Korea Forest Service selected five protected trees and five old trees nationwide as the "Tree of the Year" to enhance the value of protected and old trees and promote them as tourism resources.
The Gomsot pine tree in Jukseong-ri received high scores in both qualitative assessments, such as ecology, timeliness, and cultural resources, and quantitative assessments, including management systems, events related to protected trees, and promotional achievements, and was thus chosen as the "Tree of the Year" in the protected tree category.
The Gomsot pine has stood for 428 years, wishing for the peace of local residents. It is home to a village shrine, called a "Dangjip," which is a designated monument, and serves as the site for the traditional ritual "Pungwoje," a ceremony to pray to the god of the sea for a good catch, making it a major tourist attraction.
Governor Jeong Jongbok stated, "It is especially meaningful that a protected tree, which has embodied local culture for so long, has been selected as the 'Tree of the Year' in the same year as the 30th anniversary of the restoration of our county. We will further accelerate our efforts to protect our valuable natural heritage and promote it as a tourism resource following this selection."
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