Black pine trees designated as a protected species against pine wilt… are disappearing one by one. Five have so far succumbed to pine wilt, and Jeju’s largest black pine is also said to be infected. Lee Heejung joins me the studio for details.

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Haean-dong, Jeju City

This black pine tree in Haean-dong, Jeju City… has been standing majestically here for over 250 years. But recently it has been losing its greenness, and has started to wilt.

It has been infested with pine wilt.

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Designated as protected tree in 1982

The base of the tree measures 8.2 meters in circumference. That’s big enough for five people to stand around with their arms stretched out.

Villagers have long believed the tree to be sacred... and in 1982, it was designated as a protected tree. But in the face of pine wilt disease, the tree has not been able to protect itself.

It was confirmed last October that the tree had been infected. Since then, the tree received microbe vaccinations and other treatment, but all to no avail.

Jeju City has now decided the tree must be cut in order to prevent the disease from spreading, and its designation will be cancelled.

[INTERVIEW]
Ko Yong-hee / Jeju City Forest Protection Division
The tree will no longer be designated for protection and through consultation with the owner, we will decide on when to cut it down.
<인터뷰:고용희 제주시 산림보호담당>
"보호수로 지정된 것은 해제시켜 놓고, 지금 현재 경작지이기 때문에 주인과 협의해 벌채시기를 결정해 벌채해나가도록 하겠습니다."

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Hyeon Gwang-hoon

[reporter]
Lee Hee-jung

Critics say a lack of early control measures brought about this unfortunate state and more active measures are being called for.