Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Center 'Bujasonamu' Designated as Protected Tree by Gyeongnam Province

Established at the Former Jisu Elementary School, Which Produced Founders of Korea's Leading Global Companies

The ‘Rich Pine Tree’ located within the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Center, established on the site of the former Jisu Elementary School which produced founders of Korea’s leading global companies, has been designated as a protected tree by Gyeongnam Province.

The Rich Pine Tree at the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Center is said to have originated when the founders of Samsung, Lee Byung-chul, LG, Koo In-ho, and Hyosung, Cho Hong-je, brought a charming pine tree growing between rocky crevices and planted and nurtured it together the year after Jisu Elementary School opened (May 9, 1921).

Photo of the Father and Son Pine Tree at the Old Jisu Elementary School in Jinju.

The villagers treasured this pine tree and called it the Rich Pine Tree. It is said that taking a photo in front of the tree will make one’s dream of wealth come true, attracting many tourists who visit the K-Entrepreneurship Center to take commemorative photos with the Rich Pine Tree.

Accordingly, Jinju City judged that the Rich Pine Tree holds historical and academic value representing the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Center and requires special protection and management. Based on expert opinions and a detailed investigation of the pine tree, the city proposed its designation as a protected tree to Gyeongnam Province in November 2023.

Following this, Gyeongnam Province recognized the tree, planted and nurtured by founders of Korea’s leading conglomerates, as having great significance in the history of Jinju City, a startup hub nurturing future entrepreneurs, and designated the Rich Pine Tree as a protected tree.

A city official stated, “With the Rich Pine Tree designated as a protected tree by Gyeongsangnam-do, we will continue to manage and care for it so that tourists visiting the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Center can see the Rich Pine Tree in a healthy state.”

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