Governor Kim, “The earth should be where human and the environment co-prosper.”
(Published June 07, 2013)

Governor Kim participated in the unique performance, Tree Hug, at Korea National Arboretum in Pocheon City on June 5.

◇ Governor Kim Moon-soo gives a greeting speech at the event Tree Hug, held at Gwangreung Arboretum(Korea National Arboretum). ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Heo Seon-ryang

“I love you, trees. Thank you!”

Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo whispered while hugging trees such as cinnamon tree and oriental cork oaks.

Governor Kim showed his love for trees by hugging stately trees during his walk along Eco-Road of the national arboretum on June 5.

Governor Kim and his party who visited Gwangreung Arboretum (Korea National Arboretum) were fascinated by healing of the nature due to soft cushioning of the larch-made walks and clean oxygen and anions exhaled by fresh green trees.◇ Governor Kim Moon-soo and Pocheon City Mayor Seo Jang-won are hugging trees with University Tree Elves. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Heo Seon-ryang

Gyeonggi Province held the unique ceremony titled ‘Tree Hug’ at Korea National Arboretum in Pocheon City of Gyeonggi Province in commemoration of ‘the 18th World Environment Day’ on June 5.

In this event participated nearly 500 people including Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo, Gyeonggi Provincial Council Chairman Yoon Hwa-seob, Pocheon City Mayor Seo Jang-won, National Arboretum Director Shin Joon-hwan, Gyeonggi Environmental Preservation Association President Hong Ji-ho, Gyeonggi Provincial Lawmaker Lee Eui-yong, Lee Gang-rim, Yoon Young-chang and 101-member University Tree Hug Planning Group.

Before the main event, there was unusual ‘Saesum instrument’ performance as pre-event. Saesum instruments are recycled instruments, meaning ‘the newly created instruments by recycling’. They include the guitar made from a bicycle wheel and trees, the drum made from water bottles, and xylophone made from water bottles and trees, all of which were made with brilliant idea. In the pre-event, joint performance with water bottle xylophone named Hapoom were performed by ‘Jabarte Band’ and public workers from Resource Recycling Bureau of Gyeonggi Province.

Prior to the official event, Governor Kim and President Hong Ji-ho awarded a citation for environmental contributions to 10 relevant contributors.◇ Governor Kim Moon-soo explains environmental ecology of the arboretum at Tree Hug event. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Heo Seon-ryang

Governor Kim said in his speech, “I feel better as I hugged trees in this place.” He also said, “I am proud and have a great conceit regarding the fact that Korea National Arboretum, one of the Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO, which is the largest in scale, the longest in history and the most various in life species, is located in Gyeonggi Province.”

In addition, he said, “Although Gwangreung Arboretum is the national arboretum, Gyeonggi Province needs to take care of it because it is located in Gyeonggi Province and it belongs to us. The owner of the arboretum is not the head of the arboretum, but the trees.” Also, he drew applause from audience, saying “Trees are guards of environment, friends of environment, and guards of human, and we are guards of the trees. Today is the day we all should love and hug trees.”

He further said about a broad range of planting projects, “Trees are rare in North Korea since the North has cut down trees for the purpose of firewood. So, I created the nursery in Gaepoong-gun after I took office. However, we can’t reach there and that’s too bad. Also, we are planting trees in the desert region of inner Mongolia in order to prevent yellow dust.

In addition, he said, “The environment needs to protect the human and the human needs to protect the environment in order to make the whole can co-prosper in the earth. I will make pleasant Gyeonggi by managing trees, water, and the air, respectively, so that every person can enjoy a better life in every aspect.” He said, “The most difficult things to cope with are water pollution, air deterioration, and environmental destruction. We need to see every city planning and national development eco-friendly and cope with them in an eco-friendly way.”

Director Shin Joon-hwan responded to him, saying “I’d like to pay thanks to Gyeonggi residents for loving and protecting Korea National Arboretum. The national body which does not keep up with regional development means nothing.” He also said, “As Gyeonggi slogan ‘Advanced Gyeonggi’, trees need to advance to become strong. These two share the same meaning, and that’s engaging.”

After the ceremony, there were unique performances including eco musical by 101 Tree Elves. University Elves with laurel wreath-like floral crown on their heads lightly hugged other participants and delivered the meaning of loving trees.

Following the performance, Governor Kim walked around the arboretum with officials from environmental organizations, university students, and Gyeonggi residents, and attended the performances including Group Tree Hug and Unique Tree Hug.

After the event, performance by indie bank, Sound Box, ensued. In addition to the performance, various events were held including Gyeonggi Eco Essay Contest, Operation of Bike Generator, Egg Boiling by Solar Light Cooking Ware, and Green Product Market Saving People and the Earth, as eco-themed events.◇ Governor Kim looks around Kimchi Factory of Nongga Food. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Heo Seon-ryang◇ Governor Kim personally looks into the birds eye view of Guri to Pocheon private financed highway. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Heo Seon-ryang

Meanwhile, ‘Tree Hug’ event of the day was part of Site-visiting Working-level Meetings, held with the theme of environment in Pocheon region of Gyeonggi Province on June 5.

At 10 a.m. of the day, Governor Kim Moon-soo visited Kimchi factory of Nongga Food, located in Soheul-eup, Pocheon City, and looked around the facilities and examined conditions such as water supply. When Nongga Food CEO Lim Gwang-gyu said, “We have difficulty in supplying our Kimchi to large enterprises because we use underground water rather than water from water supply facilities, although we use clean water.”, Governor Kim tilted his head and said, “Pocheon is famous for quality water. It is nonsense to use water from water supply.”

Moreover, he visited the construction site of Guri to Pocheon private financed highway nearby Soheul Eup & Myeon Office and checked the progress, the schedule for compensation, and environmental problems. During his visit, Governor Kim asked if it is possible to extend the highway to Dongducheon, carefully examined the expected birds eye view of the highway, and asked about the future traffics at different spots.

The final destination of the site-visiting meeting was B&B in Gasan-ri, Gasan-myeon, which is a promising company which will lead the future of Gyeonggi Province with the one and unrivaled corrosion-proof technology in the world.

Governor Kim, recognizing the possibility of the future advancement of B&B beforehand, wrote a short phrase ‘Everlasting quality’ and signed his name on the visitors’ book of the company.

In response to the explanation of CEO Shin Hyeon-gwan ‘Tax-saving, injury-preventative technology, technology for strong national defense’, Governor Kim expressed, “I feel reassured knowing that Gyeonggi Province has such a promising company having quality technology.” He also said, “It will be great to exchange with B&B in technological aspect for the development of Gyeonggi Province in the future.”

With regard to it, B&B CEO said, “After the conclusion of the agreement this year, we will be able to handle over USD 200 million of construction works in Saudi Arabia yearly from next year.” He expressed his confidence, saying “By using our corrosion-proof technology, we will be able to greatly contribute to the environmental protection.”

Meanwhile, Governor Kim took a commemorative photograph at the small lawn yard of the company created as eco-friendly fountain garden by leaving in place the giant rock discovered during the construction of the new company building.◇ Governor Kim listens to the explanation about corrosion preventative technology by B&B CEO Shin Hyeong-gwan. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Heo Seon-ryang

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Park Gwan-sik malbut@kg21.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201306071711467055C048&s_code=C048