What Changes If the 'Wooyoungwoo Paengnamu' Becomes a Natural Monument?

Managed under the National 'Cultural Heritage Protection Act'... Budget Likely to Be Allocated for Cultural Heritage Utilization

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 24th that the Zelkova tree in Dongbu Village, Changwon, Gyeongnam, will be designated as a Natural Monument.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] The Zelkova tree in Dongbu Village, Changwon, Gyeongnam, which became famous after appearing in the ENA drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" (Woo Young-woo), will be designated as a Natural Monument. Once designated as a Natural Monument, it will receive preservation and management at the national level, and the budget for improving the surrounding environment, such as road maintenance and restroom installation for smooth public access to the cultural asset, is expected to increase.

According to the Cultural Heritage Administration on the 25th, at the 7th Natural Monument Subcommittee Cultural Heritage Committee held yesterday at the National Palace Museum of Korea, it was decided to announce the designation of the protected tree in Changwon, "Changwon Bukburi Zelkova Tree" (designated on July 16, 2015), as a nationally designated cultural heritage Natural Monument on the 30th of this month.

Earlier, the Cultural Heritage Administration conducted a designation investigation under the "Cultural Heritage Protection Act" following increased interest in the Zelkova tree after the airing of "Woo Young-woo," and based on the results of the Natural Monument Subcommittee Cultural Heritage Committee meeting held that day, this decision was made.

The Changwon Bukburi Zelkova Tree is approximately 500 years old, with a height of 16 meters, a chest circumference of 6.8 meters, and a crown width of 27 meters. It is comparable to the Zelkova trees previously designated as Natural Monuments in Geumnam-ri, Yecheon, and Sudong-ri, Gochang. Particularly, its majestic appearance standing tall in the plains far from the mountains is considered to have excellent scenic value. The tree’s shape, with a widely spreading crown at the upper part of the trunk, is beautiful, and its growth condition is good.

During this investigation, the Cultural Heritage Administration also confirmed through oral testimonies and historical records that the Dangsan Shrine (Dangjip) has been located next to the Zelkova tree from long ago until now, and that village residents have preserved the tradition of holding the Dangsan Festival on the first day of the tenth lunar month every year, indicating its value in terms of daily life and folklore.

The Changwon Bukburi Zelkova Tree will be designated as a nationally designated cultural heritage Natural Monument after collecting opinions during the 30-day announcement period and undergoing review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

Once designated as a Natural Monument, it will receive preservation and management at the national level. In addition to basic maintenance to protect the tree, budgets related to the utilization of the cultural heritage may be invested.

Lee Won-ho, a researcher at the Natural Monument Division of the Cultural Heritage Administration, said, "Previously, it was managed as a protected tree designated and announced by the mayor or governor under the Forest Protection Act, but after being designated as a Natural Monument, it becomes a nationally designated cultural heritage protected under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act." He added, "With the national budget invested for cultural heritage preservation and management, the scope of protection and management will expand compared to when it was just a protected tree." He further explained, "Beyond basic management such as pesticide spraying, the budget can also be used for cultural heritage viewing and utilization. For example, roads can be maintained or restrooms installed so that the public does not have difficulty accessing the cultural heritage."

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