Jeonnam Province Creates 'Hanbando Peace Forest' Symbolizing Inter-Korean Peace and Democratization

The Birthplace Area of the Late Former President Kim Dae-jung on Haedo, Sinan-gun

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province announced on the 16th that it will create the "Korean Peninsula Peace Forest," symbolizing inter-Korean peace and democratization, around the birthplace of the late former President Kim Dae-jung on Haewido Island, Sinan County.

Through this, they plan to establish a tourism and cultural platform for the southwestern coast.

The "Korean Peninsula Peace Forest" will be developed as a representative forest of the "Clean Jeonnam Blue Economy," utilizing Jeonnam's blue resources such as sky, wind, islands, and forests, reflecting the spirit of former President Kim who overcame numerous trials and embraced both North and South Korea.

The province will establish a master plan with advice from experts in landscape, ecology, environment, landscaping, tourism, and forestry, investing a total project cost of 35 billion KRW (25 billion KRW for development and 10 billion KRW for land acquisition) by 2023.

In particular, aiming to create a symbolic forest of communication, harmony, and peace encompassing the entire Haewido Island in Sinan, the project will be divided into three themes: ▲ Birth of Peace ▲ Indongcho Spirit ▲ Peace Yard.

The "Birth of Peace" area will be developed from Haewido ferry terminal to the birthplace and its surroundings, serving as a space to commemorate the birth and childhood of former President Kim Dae-jung. In front of the birthplace, the "Hugwang Peace Plaza" symbolizing communication and harmony, the contemplative "Peace Forest Trail," "Mudflat Garden," "Taeguk Yard," and "Our Flower Garden" will be created.

Behind the birthplace, near the Marine Theme Park, the garden of crape myrtle trees, which former President Kim favored most during his lifetime, will be complemented, and the subtropical forest on the back mountain will be restored to create the "Hugwang Hill Forest."

The "Indongcho Spirit" section, from the birthplace through Deokbong Seodang where former President Kim studied in his childhood, Haewi Elementary School, to the Great Rock Face (Jukdo) on the opposite side of the island, will be developed as the "Kim Dae-jung Memory Forest Trail," reflecting on the life of former President Kim who overcame suffering and embraced both North and South Korea.

The "Peace Yard" area, around the Great Rock Face opposite the birthplace, will be developed as a space wishing for reconciliation and peace on the Korean Peninsula and East Asia, creating the "Marine Sunset Park," where visitors can enjoy views of the Great Rock Face (Jukdo) and the sunset over the southwestern sea.

Additionally, with an investment of 2 billion KRW, a grand forest path will be created at the entrance to the birthplace in the Birth of Peace area, making a solemn and moving space.

Park Hyun-sik, Director of the Environment and Forestry Bureau of Jeonnam Province, said, "Haewido Island is a sanctuary of peace in Asia beyond the Korean Peninsula, an island of human rights and peace. We will do our best to honor the will of former President Kim Dae-jung, the first Korean Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and to create a representative marine symbolic forest of the Blue Economy where the sky, sea, forest, and land of the southwestern sea harmonize."

Meanwhile, Jeonnam Province plans to form and operate a TF team for smooth project implementation and run an "Expert Advisory Committee" to gather opinions from various fields.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.