(Pocheon=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Do-yoon = The National Institute of Forest Science's National Arboretum has completed the restoration of the Gwangneung Forest walking trail, which was damaged in parts by extreme rainfall last summer, and will fully reopen it starting on the 21st.
The Gwangneung Forest walking trail, which was established in 2019 along the Bongseon Sacheon to connect the perimeter of the Gwangneung Forest, spans 3.2 km and includes deck paths and dirt paths. It is popular, with over 900,000 visitors annually.
However, in July of last year, heavy rains caused parts of the Bongseon Sacheon to overflow, severely damaging some of the deck paths and halting traffic.
The National Arboretum explained that they completed the new renovation ahead of the autumn foliage season to allow users of the walking trail to enjoy the Gwangneung Forest.
The Gwangneung Forest, which spans 2,238 hectares across Uijeongbu, Namyangju, and Pocheon in Gyeonggi Province, has been protected and managed for over 550 years since it was designated as a royal tomb forest by Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty.
It is an ecological treasure trove, home to 6,596 species of organisms, including endemic plants and natural monuments.
In particular, the Zelkova serrata grove around Soribong is the only natural academic conservation forest in the country and is recognized globally for its value.
UNESCO designated the Gwangneung Forest as a biosphere reserve in 2010.
kyoon@yna.co.kr