Wonju City and National Health Insurance Service Create Bankye-ri Ginkgo Square Together

A New Sanctuary Blending Nature and Culture

On September 29, Wonju City in Gangwon Province and the National Health Insurance Service (Chairman: Jung Ki-seok) held a completion ceremony for Ginkgo Square at the ginkgo tree area in Bankye-ri, Munmak-eup, celebrating the creation of the square with local residents.

Wonju City and the National Health Insurance Service held a completion ceremony for Ginkgo Square on the 29th at the ginkgo tree area in Bankye-ri, Munmak-eup. Photo by Wonju City

The Bankye-ri ginkgo tree, estimated to be 1,318 years old and the oldest ginkgo tree in South Korea, has become widely known for its beautiful shape and autumn foliage, leading to increasing calls for cultural heritage protection and utilization as a tourism resource.

In response, Wonju City invested 8.5 billion won to develop the area around the ginkgo tree into a square, and established access roads and parking lots to improve accessibility and convenience for tourists.

Notably, the National Health Insurance Service participated in the creation of the square by supporting the planting of 23 ginkgo trees and the installation of an outdoor stage. This initiative is part of the financial business agreement signed between the city and the Service in June and is regarded as a model case of collaboration between local governments and public institutions.

Won Kangsu, Mayor of Wonju, stated, "During the autumn season, when the ginkgo trees turn beautifully golden, I hope many visitors will fully experience the golden autumn of Wonju in this expanded square. We will continue to actively utilize Wonju's tourism resources and seek ways to revitalize the local economy."

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