Gangwon-do Holds Arbor Day Event in Goseong, the First 'Forest Utilization Promotion Zone'

Governor Kim: “Wishing for the Successful Promotion of the Development Zone Project and Expanding Forest Roads”

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on the 3rd that it held the ‘80th Arbor Day Commemoration Event’ at the Goseong County Unification Observatory area. About 160 people, including Governor Kim Jin-tae, members of the Provincial Council, Goseong County officials, and local residents, participated in the event to reflect on the significance of tree planting.

On the 3rd, Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (front row, right), along with members of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Provincial Council, officials from Goseong County, and over 160 local residents, held the "80th Arbor Day Commemoration Event" at the Goseong County Unification Observatory area. Photo by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Office

This year’s Arbor Day event was organized to commemorate the designation of the Goseong Unification Observatory as the first ‘Forest Utilization Promotion Zone’ last December and to wish for the successful promotion of related projects. At the site, 8,000 trees, including Korean azaleas, were planted.

Governor Kim Jin-tae stated, “Gangwon Province selects the most meaningful location each year for Arbor Day events. Last year, the event was held at the Osaek Cable Car construction site, and this year, it is being held here at the Unification Observatory, designated as the first Forest Utilization Promotion Zone.”

The governor continued, “Following the recent large-scale forest fires in the Gyeongsang region, the need to expand forest roads for fire suppression and prevention has become even more critical. Currently, the density of forest roads in the province is only 3.7 meters per hectare, and most mountains lack forest roads.”

He also emphasized, “Forest roads serve as firebreaks and function as access routes for fire trucks, greatly aiding in forest fire suppression. We will push forward with a groundbreaking expansion of forest roads.”

Finally, Governor Kim urged, “As we approach Cheongmyeong and Hansik, periods with high risk of forest fires, I ask all residents for thorough cooperation in prevention during the forest fire caution period until May 15.”

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