Carrying on President Kim Dae-jung's Spirit of Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity
Three Thematic Zones and a 17.5km Peace and Eco-Tourism Trail
Governor Kim Yung-rok Highlights the Significance of Peace, Unity, and Unification
On September 23, South Jeolla Province announced that it held a commemorative event for the completion of the "Forest of Peace on the Korean Peninsula" on Hauido Island in Sinan County, honoring the spirit of peace, reconciliation, and unity of President Kim Dae-jung.
The completion ceremony was held in conjunction with the 2025 Kim Dae-jung Peace Conference. The event was attended by Kim Yung-rok, Governor of South Jeolla Province; Moon Hee-sang, Executive Vice Chairman of the Kim Dae-jung Foundation; Bae Ki-sun, Secretary-General; Kim Hong-gul, Chairman of the Kim Dae-jung & Lee Hee-ho Memorial Project Association; Kim Dae-in, Acting Mayor of Sinan County; Lee Sang-joo, Chairman of Sinan County Council; Choi Mi-sook, Provincial Assembly Member; representatives from the Kim Dae-jung Foundation and related organizations; as well as about 200 local residents.
Notably, the event was further enriched by the presence of key figures who have carried on the legacy of President Kim Dae-jung's commitment to peace and democracy, including Jung Jin-baek, Chairman of the Kim Dae-jung Memorial Project; Park Han-soo, Director of Planning at the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center; Song Kyung-yong, Chairman of the Gwangju Peace Foundation; Kim Sun-tae, Vice Chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize Memorial Hall; and Choi Nak-yong, producer of the film "Kim Dae-jung on the Road."
The Forest of Peace on the Korean Peninsula was created around President Kim Dae-jung's birthplace, with a total budget of 16 billion won invested from 2020 to 2025. The project covers an area of 60 hectares and stretches a total length of 17.5 kilometers.
The space is organized in a storytelling format to honor President Kim Dae-jung's legacy, with the themes of ▲Birth of Peace ▲Indongcho Spirit ▲Peace Square.
"Birth of Peace" is a space symbolizing the beginning of President Kim Dae-jung's remarkable life, featuring the Hu-gwang Peace Plaza, Hu-gwang Memorial Hall, and the Crape Myrtle Peace Garden.
At the entrance to the Peace Plaza, a solemn and grand forest path has been created. The plaza itself features a garden with crape myrtle trees, President Kim's favorite, symbolizing his resilience in the face of adversity, much like how the crape myrtle blooms in the heat. The Hu-gwang Memorial Hall, remodeled as an archive hall, showcases President Kim's political life and achievements. By 2026, media art installations are planned to further develop the site into a global landmark for peace and human rights.
The "Indongcho Spirit" section features a 17.5-kilometer trail from the Great Rock Face in the south of Hauido to President Kim's birthplace in the north, lined with citrus trees and small parks. This area is designed to commemorate President Kim's perseverance through hardship, likened to the citrus tree that bears fruit even in harsh winters, and to provide a comfortable rest area for cycling visitors.
"Peace Square" is located around the Great Rock Face, opposite the birthplace, and features observation decks and photo zones, serving as a space to wish for peace on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia. It is expected to become an attractive spot for appreciating the island's scenic beauty at a glance.
President Kim Dae-jung dedicated his life to democracy, human rights, inter-Korean reconciliation, and unification. Despite adversity, he successfully held the historic inter-Korean summit in 2000 and became the first South Korean to receive the Nobel Peace Prize that same year, promoting the spirit of peace on the Korean Peninsula to the world.
South Jeolla Province expects that the "Forest of Peace on the Korean Peninsula" will carry on President Kim Dae-jung's legacy, becoming a space of hope for the aspirations of the people and future generations.
Governor Kim Yung-rok stated, "The Forest of Peace on the Korean Peninsula is not just a forest, but a space that embodies the future and the will for peace of South Korea. We will continue to nurture this forest in the spirit of President Kim Dae-jung, fostering peace, unity, and the path toward unification."
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