Yoon: "TK is where I learned social life and human relationships... I will support a new leap forward"

Attendance at Palgongsan National Park Promotion Ceremony
Yoon "Must Manage and Preserve to Pass on to Future Generations"

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 4th, "Daegu and Gyeongbuk are where I first started my public service career and learned about social life and human relationships. I will firmly support Daegu and Gyeongbuk so that they can achieve a new leap forward."

According to the presidential office, President Yoon made these remarks while attending the Palgongsan National Park elevation ceremony after the 16th Livelihood Discussion Forum held in Daegu that afternoon, saying, "I worked in Daegu three times in the past and often visited Palgongsan with my colleagues."

Since the establishment of the Korea National Park Service in 1987, which marked the beginning of systematic management of national parks, this is the first time a president has attended a national park-related event.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon expressed gratitude, saying, "Although discussions on elevating Palgongsan to a national park had made no progress for over 10 years, since I promised to elevate Palgongsan to a national park during my visit to Daegu in August 2022, we were able to fulfill that promise in less than a year. This was possible thanks to the combined efforts of the government, Daegu City, and Gyeongsangbuk-do, along with the wholehearted support of local residents and the Buddhist community."

He continued, "Palgongsan is a beautiful natural landscape visited by 3.58 million people annually as a recreational space for citizens and is a treasure trove of natural assets, home to over 5,200 species of wildlife. We must properly manage and preserve this precious mountain, one of Korea’s famous mountains, and pass it on to future generations."

He promised to improve the aging facilities of Palgongsan and expand its infrastructure. President Yoon said, "We will significantly improve old facilities including trails, parking lots, and restrooms so that everyone can enjoy Palgongsan safely and comfortably. We will also expand infrastructure such as barrier-free trails for visitors with mobility difficulties to create a warm national park where no one is left out."

At the government awards ceremony, President Yoon personally presented decorations and presidential citations to Ven. Donmyeong, the head monk of Eunhaesa Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Park Geummo, chairman of the National Park Premium Village Council, and Hwang Sangseon, chairman of the National Park Volunteer Activists, in recognition of their contributions to national social development through the conservation and management of national parks, and extended his thanks and congratulations to the awardees.

President Yoon also celebrated the elevation of Palgongsan to a national park by pressing the touch button on an LED screen depicting Palgongsan’s landmark together with eight representatives from various sectors including religious groups, local residents, and Korea National Park Service staff during the elevation performance.

The event was attended by about 500 people including local government officials and residents from Daegu and Gyeongbuk, Ven. Jinwoo, the head of the Jogye Order Secretariat and local Buddhist community, Song Hyung-geun, chairman of the Korea National Park Service, its executives and employees, and residents of the National Park Premium Villages. From the government side, Environment Minister Han Hwa-jin attended, and from the presidential office, Chief Secretary Lee Gwan-seop and Policy Chief Seong Tae-yoon were present.

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