- Starting July 1, a commentary program runs about commemorative trees of former presidents

- Professor PARK Sang Jin, the best expert on the Blue House trees, explained as a special commentator

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister PARK Bo Gyoon, MCST) runs the “Tree Tour Program: Presidential Trees” from July 1 (Sat) as one of the Blue House’s 10 annual planning programs to celebrate the first anniversary of its opening.

The 35 trees planted in commemoration of past presidents in the Blue House indirectly revealed their tastes, interests, and situations at the time of planting. This tour program selected 10 representative trees from among the presidential commemorative trees within the precincts of the Blue House, such as Nokjiwon. Expert guides from the Blue House will provide explanations twice daily, uncovering intriguing stories that pique the visitors’ curiosity and interest. The tree commentaries are based on the contents supervised by Professor PARK Sang Jin, a renowned expert on the trees within the Blue House and the author of the book “Trees of the Blue House (translated).” Professor PARK, an honorary professor at Kyungpook National University, has carefully reviewed and approved the content for the program.

Minister PARK Bo Gyoon said, “There are about 50,000 trees of 208 species in the Blue House, a natural arboretum. Among them, the ‘Presidential Trees’ will serve as unique and differentiated content that conveys the uniqueness of the Blue House, deeply ingrained in the hearts of the Korean people. We anticipate visitors will discover remarkable stories within the ‘Presidential Trees’ and have a distinctive experience and enjoyment of the Blue House.”

▮ Commemorative trees that reflect the era, the number of commemorative ceremonies varies by president. 

There is a remaining photograph of President RHEE Syng-man conducting a commemorative tree planting ceremony in a location presumed to be a valley next to Sangchunjae in March 1960. The tree in the photo is an approximately 10-year-old fir tree, but today, it has grown into a 70-year-old towering tree, reaching a height of 25 meters. According to Professor PARK, President RHEE frequently chose fir trees as commemorative trees, focusing on afforestation and a sustainable supply of timber resources.

To wish for the success of the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul, President ROH Tae-woo planted a Korean fir between the main building and the grand garden on Arbor Day in 1988. Korean fir is a rare tree that only grows in Korea, and its scientific name also includes “Koreana.” Professor PARK explains that Korean fir trees, which thrive in cool and windy places, grow well in the Blue House because a cool wind valley was formed next to the main building built in 1991.[1]

In commemoration of the first inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang in June 2000, President KIM Dae-jung planted a Rose of Sharon on the stairs leading to the Yeongbin-gwan. It is said that the best Rose of Sharon was donated and planted by Professor SHIM Kyung Ku of Sungkyunkwan University, who was known as an expert on the Rose of Sharon at the time. The tree was 18-year-old at the time of planting and will be 41-year-old this year.

▮ Two sessions of commentaries a day and special commentary by Professor PARK Sang Jin, author of the “Trees of the Blue House”

The tree tour program starts at Sangchunjae at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. every day (except Tuesday when it is closed) and continues through the official residence and main building to the Yeongbin-gwan. This program is led by a professional commentator that lasts about 60 minutes, and anyone visiting the Blue House can participate without a separate registration.

In particular, to commemorate the start of this tour program, Professor PARK, the author of the “Trees of the Blue House” and the leading expert on trees in the Blue House, will give two special commentaries. Professor PARK’s special commentary will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (90 minutes) on July 8 (Sat) and 15 (Sat). Anyone who wants to participate in “Presidential Trees by PARK Sang Jin” can check how to preregister on the website (opencheongwadae.kr) from 2:00 p.m. on June 30 (Fri). A maximum of 30 people will be selected on a first-come-first-served basis per session.

For details, please check the above website or call (1522-7760) for inquiries.

Meanwhile, at the main building of the Blue House, starting June 1, the exhibition “Stories of Our Presidents: The Presidents Were Here” has continued amid enthusiastic responses from visitors, with the total number of visitors surpassing 140,000 (as of June 28). If you look around the presidential trees and props used by the presidents, you can feel the meaning of the Blue House as a “space for the presidents” more deeply.