National Wando Subtropical Arboretum... Becomes the Center of Future Tourism and Healing

Forest Service Chief Conducts On-Site Inspection, Amazed by Nandae Forest Resources

(On the left) Choi Byung-am, Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, is inspecting the site of Wando Arboretum, the planned location for the National Subtropical Arboretum. Photo by Wando-gun

[Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] On the 2nd, Wando County, Jeollanam-do, including Wando County Governor Shin Woo-cheol, National Assembly member Yoon Jae-gap, Korea Forest Service Director Choi Byung-am, and Jeollanam-do Deputy Governor for Political Affairs Yoon Byung-tae, along with about 20 others, inspected the site of the planned National Subtropical Arboretum at Wando Arboretum.

According to the county on the 6th, the establishment of the National Subtropical Arboretum is a large-scale national project with about 190 billion KRW of national funds invested in Wando Arboretum for the purpose of conserving and utilizing subtropical and tropical forest biological resources, including research on climate change and changes in flora in preparation for global warming, according to the Korea Forest Service's 4th Arboretum Promotion Plan.

On that day, the Korea Forest Service conducted an on-site inspection to prepare for the preliminary feasibility study by the Ministry of Economy and Finance in 2022. After the on-site explanation, Jeollanam-do and Wando County set the main visitors of the arboretum as youth and suggested the establishment of a mountain railway to facilitate viewing.

The establishment of the mountain railway was found to be more suitable than a monorail based on prior surveys and comparative analyses conducted by Jeollanam-do and the county, as it can be constructed along the existing Wando Arboretum forest road with less forest damage and is more appropriate in terms of investment cost and maintenance. The Korea Forest Service decided to actively reflect this in the service project.

In particular, Governor Shin Woo-cheol emphasized the necessity of developing programs such as educational and leisure facilities to make the arboretum a place that youth must visit at least once, and requested that this be expanded and reflected in the service project.

Korea Forest Service Director Choi Byung-am said, “I was very impressed by the subtropical forest resources that spread like a folding screen from the moment I entered Wando Arboretum,” and added, “We will do our best to prepare for the preliminary feasibility study so that the National Subtropical Arboretum can be established as soon as possible for all citizens to enjoy these forest assets.”

National Assembly member Yoon Jae-gap said, “Wando Arboretum has the largest subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in the country, making it a unique space where you can see green forests all year round,” and stated, “I will actively cooperate to solve the major task of passing the preliminary feasibility study.”

Governor Shin Woo-cheol responded, “Once the National Subtropical Arboretum is established, annual visitors are expected to reach 850,000, with an economic effect of 1.2 trillion KRW and employment inducement of about 1,800 people,” adding, “We will make the establishment of the National Subtropical Arboretum a growth engine for our county, promote coexistence with local residents, and build tourism infrastructure together to make Wando a future tourism and healing hub.”

Meanwhile, the National Wando Subtropical Arboretum project was solely confirmed as the target site by Wando County on December 24 last year. The 400-hectare site of Wando Arboretum will carry out five specialized zone projects: exhibition and viewing zone, service and education zone, conservation and restoration zone, research and support zone, and back-up support facilities.

After holding a mid-term report meeting for the research service project preparing for the preliminary feasibility study of the National Subtropical Arboretum on the 9th, the county plans to apply for the preliminary feasibility study to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil ckp6737@asiae.co.kr

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