Cheongju marks natural monument status of 900-year-old ginkgo tree with event on 22 Oct
In short
Cheongju city and the Korea Heritage Service (국가유산청) are holding an event at 18:00 on 22 October in Cheongju's Jungang Park to mark the designation of the ginkgo tree "Cheongju Apgaksu" as a natural monument. The tree is estimated to be about 900 years old and was designated in February. A media art show follows from 19:00 to 22:00.
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Cheongju city and the Korea Heritage Service (국가유산청) are holding an event at 18:00 on 22 October at Jungang Park in Cheongju to mark the designation of the "Cheongju Apgaksu" (청주 압각수) as a natural monument. Yonhap placed the park in the city's Sangdang District. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to Asia Economy and Newsis, the event opens with a Taepyeongmu performance, which they describe as national intangible heritage. Yonhap calls it a celebratory performance. An introductory video follows, then the presentation of the managing-body designation certificate and commendation of contributors. Asia Economy adds that a report on the designation process is also part of the programme. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
After the ceremony, a media art show runs from 19:00 to 22:00. Yonhap calls it the "2026 Heritage Media Art" and says it presents the history and stories of Cheongju's heritage in light and video using digital technology. Newsis says it is linked to the city's night-time heritage programme. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The Apgaksu is a ginkgo tree estimated to be about 900 years old. It stands in Jungang Park, which was the site of the Cheongju government office inside the old Cheongju fortress. Yonhap and Newsis give its height as 20.5 m and its chest-height circumference as 8.5 m. Yonhap says it has stood in the same place since the late Goryeo period. Newsis says the name comes from the ginkgo leaf's resemblance to a duck's foot. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yonhap and Newsis say the tree was designated a natural monument on 12 February; Asia Economy says only February. Asia Economy and Newsis say its location is marked on the late Joseon map Cheongjueupseongdo, and that its historical value was recognised in the designation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The tree is linked to an account set in 1390, the second year of King Gongyang of Goryeo. Yonhap says Mokeun Yi Saek and others, wrongly jailed in Cheongju, climbed the tree during a large flood and survived. Newsis says more than ten officials were jailed on false accusations, and that the king, on hearing of it, took their innocence as the will of heaven and freed them. The account appears in the Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam, which Yonhap calls a Joseon-era geography text. Yonhap says the Dongsa Gangmok and the Pirwon Japgi record it too, while Newsis names the Pirwon Japgi. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Newsis quotes a city official as saying the city will prepare ways to preserve and manage the tree systematically and to let citizens share its historical meaning and value. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The event marks the formal heritage designation of a single old tree in Cheongju. A city official said the city will prepare ways to preserve, manage and make use of the tree, but the documents give no details of those plans.
Key facts
- The event starts at 18:00 on 22 October at Jungang Park in Cheongju and is held by the city and the Korea Heritage Service. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Cheongju Apgaksu is a ginkgo tree estimated to be about 900 years old, standing on the site of the Cheongju government office inside the old Cheongju fortress. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The tree is 20.5 m tall with a chest-height circumference of 8.5 m. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The tree was designated a natural monument on 12 February, according to Yonhap and Newsis; Asia Economy says only February. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The programme includes a Taepyeongmu performance, an introductory video, presentation of the managing-body designation certificate and commendation of contributors. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A media art show runs from 19:00 to 22:00 after the ceremony. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Cheongju city and the Korea Heritage Service are holding the commemorative event at 18:00 on 22 October at Jungang Park. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The tree is a ginkgo of about 900 years of age, located at the former Cheongju government office site, and was designated a natural monument in February. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The event ends with the presentation of the managing-body designation certificate and commendation of contributors, followed by a media art show from 19:00 to 22:00. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Under King Gongyang's second year (1390), Mokeun Yi Saek and others were said to have escaped harm by climbing the tree during a flood, an account found in the Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- How many officials were imprisoned and climbed the tree in 1390. Newsis says Yi Saek and more than ten officials; Asia Economy and Yonhap say Yi Saek and others without a number.
- What plans the city has for preserving, managing and using the tree. Only Newsis quotes a city official saying such plans will be prepared; no specifics are given.