Prime Minister Jeong: "Opening of Sejong Arboretum is a 'Rain in Drought'... Expected to Gain Nationwide Popularity"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 17th, "Amid the long period of indoor isolation due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), many people are physically and mentally exhausted and struggling, so the opening news of the National Sejong Arboretum is like rain in a drought."

At the opening ceremony of the National Sejong Arboretum in Yeongi-myeon, Sejong City, Prime Minister Chung said, "The National Sejong Arboretum is the first urban arboretum in Korea where citizens can experience the largest four-season greenhouse and traditional Korean gardens up close."

Located in the center of Sejong City, the National Sejong Arboretum, Korea's first urban arboretum, opened to the public at noon on this day after eight years of preparation and construction. The Sejong Arboretum, the third national arboretum following the National Arboretum in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, and the National Baekdudaegan Arboretum in Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk Province, covers an area of 65 hectares, equivalent to 90 soccer fields. It features 20 themed exhibition gardens where visitors can experience traditional Korean and modern garden cultures, with 2,834 species and 1.72 million trees planted.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the number of visitors allowed simultaneously is limited to 5,000, and strict quarantine procedures such as disinfection, operation of fever screening equipment, social distancing, and one-way viewing routes will be thoroughly followed.

Prime Minister Chung said, "As befits the name of an urban arboretum, I believe it will provide various sights, activities, and entertainment that stimulate the five senses for many people," and added, "I expect the Sejong Arboretum to become a cultural, educational, and leisure mecca, gaining nationwide popularity beyond being a landmark of Sejong and Chungcheong."

He also stated, "Although social distancing due to COVID-19 has been adjusted to level 1, autumn travel and outdoor activities will not be as free as in previous years," and emphasized, "Please pay special attention to quarantine measures until the 15th of next month."

Furthermore, he urged, "The Korea Forest Service and the arboretum must ensure thorough quarantine without any negligence," and requested, "Careful attention must be given to all aspects, including visitor limits, adjustments in viewing methods, fever screening, and disinfection of viewing areas."

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