Overseas Gyeongsangnam-do Residents Return to Homeland for Hamyang Commemorative Tree Planting ... "Greening Our Hometown"

by Lee Seryeong

Published 10 Apr.2026 19:30(KST)

Updated 12 Apr.2026 19:13(KST)

This year as well, Gyeongsangnam-do planted trees in Hamyang County, which recently suffered extensive damage from wildfires and landslides, together with Korean expatriates originally from Gyeongsangnam-do who returned to their homeland.

On April 10, Gyeongsangnam-do held the "47th Hometown Commemorative Tree Planting Ceremony of the Associations of Korean Residents in Japan, Seoul, and Busan" at the Baekyeon Yuyeonji area in Hamyang-eup, Hamyang County.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, Jin Byeongyoung, Mayor of Hamyang County, Lee Jongseong, President of the Federation of Korean Residents in Japan (and President of the Chiba Association), along with the presidents of 10 regional hometown associations, Choi Hyoseok, President of the Seoul Association, Park Jeongsam, President of the Busan Gyeongnam Hometown Federation, provincial council members Kim Jaeung and Han Sanghyeon, and others participated in the event. Together, they planted a 10-meter-tall weeping cherry tree as a commemorative tree, expressing their hopes for the development of their hometown.

Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Park Wansu (center) is covering the soil around a tree planted together with the Gyeongsangnam-do Association of Residents in Japan. Provided by Gyeongsangnam-do

Subsequently, around 450 participants-including members of the Japan, Seoul, and Busan associations, forestry-related organizations, and Hamyang residents-were divided into five zones to plant a total of 7,300 trees of nine different species, including weeping cherry, zelkova, and crape myrtle.

In Zone 1, 93 residents from Tokyo, Shizuoka, and Hyogo in Japan joined; in Zone 2, 95 residents from Kyoto, Kanagawa, and Yamaguchi participated; in Zone 3, 50 members from the Seoul association took part; in Zone 4, 58 residents from Osaka, Chiba, Hiroshima, and Okayama were assigned; and in Zone 5, 154 people including members of the Busan association participated.

Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu (center front) is taking a commemorative photo with Korean residents in Japan at the 47th Local Commemorative Tree Planting Ceremony. Courtesy of Gyeongnam Province

During the event, a plaque of appreciation expressing the gratitude of Hamyang residents was presented to Park Sanggyu, the second son of the late Park Byeongheon, who was originally from Baekjeon-myeon, Hamyang County.

The late Park Byeongheon donated over 4,700 Yoshino cherry trees in 1987, creating Hamyang’s iconic "Cherry Blossom Road" stretching from Sangnim in Hamyang-eup to Unsan-ri in Baekjeon-myeon. Thanks to his contribution, this cherry blossom road attracts not only local residents but also countless tourists every spring.

At the tree planting site, a 90-year-old grandmother from Shizuoka and a three-year-old girl from Osaka planted trees side by side, symbolizing an intergenerational bond.

A resident from Kyoto commented, "By planting trees directly in my hometown soil, I was able to experience once again the solidarity among overseas residents and the affection for our hometown. Even though we live far away, our hearts are always with our hometown, and this event was a meaningful reminder of that."

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is delivering a commemorative speech at the 47th Hometown Tree Planting Ceremony of the Associations of Korean Residents in Japan, Seoul, and Busan. Provided by Gyeongnam Province

Governor Park Wansu stated, "It is very meaningful to witness the fruits of our love for our hometown here in Hamyang, a place where the thousand-year-old forest of Sangnim and the spirit of scholars reside. The tree each of you planted with care today will take root as a symbol of hope for our children."

He added, "Thanks to the unwavering affection of our overseas residents for more than 50 years, the landscapes of Gyeongsangnam-do have become greener. The provincial government will continue to nurture every corner of Gyeongsangnam-do into a better place to live, ensuring that your heartfelt contributions are not in vain."

The hometown commemorative tree planting event began in Yangsan in 1975, marking its 47th year this year.

Except for a few years affected by major events such as the Great East Japan Earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, overseas residents have visited their hometown every year, planting a total of 410,000 trees throughout Gyeongsangnam-do to make the forests greener up to this year.