Geumgang Arboretum, located in Geumnam-myeon, Sejong City, is returning to local residents after about a year of closure.

The Sejong Special Self-Governing City (Mayor Cho Sang-ho) and Chungcheongnam-do (Governor Park Su-hyun) signed a business agreement for the "Reopening and Joint Operation of Geumgang Arboretum and Others" at the grass plaza of the Geumgang Arboretum Forest Museum on the 16th.

This agreement is the result of continuous consultations between the two organizations to reopen the currently suspended arboretum and achieve full opening and joint operation next year.

The Chungnam Forest Resources Research Institute, which includes Geumgang Arboretum, is owned by Chungcheongnam-do, but its actual location is in Sejong City. Ahead of the decision to relocate and sell the research institute to Cheongyang in July of last year, it underwent closure procedures at the end of June.

However, since the research institute site includes Geumgang Natural Recreation Forest and Arboretum, opinions have persisted that securing public utility should take priority to secure leisure and resting spaces for local residents and preserve the natural environment.

In response to these demands, Sejong City and Chungnam Province signed this agreement centered on the efficient operation and revitalization of the use of Geumgang Arboretum, etc., regarding ▲ operation personnel, ▲ operation and facility costs, and ▲ administrative procedures related to reopening.

According to the agreement, ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the outdoor spaces of Geumgang Arboretum, including the loess metasequoia path and walking trails, will be temporarily opened free of charge to local residents on the 21st.

The plan is to open outdoor spaces first and gradually open accommodation facilities, tropical greenhouses, and the Forest Museum after comprehensive inspections and remodeling.

Full opening of Geumgang Arboretum and others is projected to be possible around January next year.

Accordingly, operating expenses will be shared jointly by Sejong City and Chungnam Province, while facility costs required for infrastructure maintenance and facility improvement will be shared by Chungcheongnam-do, the facility management entity.

In addition, 10% of the operating revenue generated from joint operation will be allocated to Sejong City.

In the future, Sejong City and Chungcheongnam-do plan to actively petition the government for nationalization so that Geumgang Arboretum and Geumgang Natural Recreation Forest can be utilized as public assets enjoyed by all citizens.

Mayor Cho Sang-ho said, "Geumgang Arboretum is a living field of forest education and a resting space where local residents can comfortably rest their bodies and minds throughout the four seasons," adding, "We will swiftly implement administrative procedures for full opening in the first half of next year while striving so that its value can be enjoyed by all citizens."

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