'800-Year-Old' Incheon Jangsu-dong Ginkgo Tree... Natural Monument Designation Ceremony on the 5th

Incheon Jangsu-dong Ginkgo Tree, designated as a National Natural Monument [Photo provided by Namdong-gu, Incheon]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] A commemorative event for the Incheon Jangsu-dong Ginkgo Tree, designated as a national natural monument in February this year, was held on the 5th.

Namdong-gu held a ceremony in front of the Manwongol Ginkgo Tree to promote the value of the ginkgo tree, designated as a national cultural asset.

Previously, the Incheon Jangsu-dong Ginkgo Tree was designated as Incheon City Monument No. 12 and was elevated to National Natural Monument No. 562 in February this year.

The originally scheduled ceremony had been postponed due to the COVID-19 situation, and the event was livestreamed online with a minimized number of participants.

The event was hosted by Park Jinhee, an ambassador for natural heritage promotion, and included congratulatory performances by the traditional Korean music group Isang and Pureunai Job Con (Job Con·Namdong-gu Youth Media Arts Support Project), followed by progress reports and the presentation of the designation certificate.

Lee Kangho, Mayor of Namdong-gu, received the natural monument management organization certificate from the Cultural Heritage Administration and announced plans for future preservation and protection of the cultural asset.

The district plans to secure related budgets, including national funds, next year to implement various management measures such as periodic pest control and nutrient supply projects for the ginkgo tree, as well as the creation of a cultural heritage zone landscape plaza.

Additionally, the annual local Dodangje ritual will be expanded from a village-level event to a traditional cultural event representing Namdong-gu.

Estimated to be 800 years old, the Jangsu-dong Ginkgo Tree stands 28 meters tall with a circumference of 9 meters, exhibiting a healthy and well-balanced appearance with almost no damaged branches.

The Ginkgo Tree Dangje, a ritual praying for a bountiful harvest and peace in the village, has been held annually on the first day of the seventh lunar month for over 200 years.

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