© GYEONGGI PROVINCE, The oriental arborvitae at the site of the province’s former offices in March 2016.

An historic tree, an oriental arborvitae, will be relocated to the new Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex currently under construction in Gwanggyo after being left behind at the site of the province’s former offices in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, following the provincial government’s relocation to Suwon. Gyeonggi Province expressed gratification at the news of being reunited with this tree after half a century.

On April 16, Gyeonggi Province transported the tree from its original location in Gwanghwamun Citizens Square to the Suwon Gwanggyo Museum in Yeongtong-gu. Gyeonggi Province plans to relocate the tree upon completion of the provincial government complex in Gwanggyo.

This 100-year-old, 13 meter-high and 13-to-15 meter-wide oriental arborvitae has survived through the years at the site of the province’s former offices that were built on Sejong-ro in 1910. The Seoul Metropolitan Government promised to present the tree to Gyeonggi Province last August after the latter had pushed for the tree’s transfer in order to preserve its historicity.

© GYEONGGI PROVINCE, The oriental arborvitae being transplanted

An official of the Gyeonggi Province Construction Headquarters said, “The oriental arborvitae has initially been moved to the Suwon Gwanggyo Museum as plans were moved forward when the site upon which the tree was located, Gwanghwamun Citizens Square, was included in Seoul City’s ‘Excavation Plan of Uijeongbu Sites’.” The official added, “The old tree might have difficulties after being moved and replanted, but we will devote our hearts and souls to its management with the help of experts.”