Museum in South Korea allegedly poisoned centuries-old tree on private land
A private museum in South Korea is facing legal action after it was accused of poisoning a centuries-old tree growing on private land. Nearby residents first grew concerned when the tree started shedding its leaves way earlier than expected in April.
According to The Korea Herald, subsequent investigations revealed that a herbicide had been injected into the tree.
Museum injected herbicide to control growth
The ginkgo tree stands on private land, next to a private art museum called Whanki Museum.
Authorities first received complaints on 22 May, and promptly visited the tree to inspect it. A diagnosis of the tree on 26 May revealed that the tree’s health had deteriorated due to chemicals.
Source: 시정일보
Furthermore, security footage revealed that workers had drilled holes into the tree before injecting an unknown substance, which investigators believe to be herbicide, into it on 22 April.
Source: Korea Herald
Faced with mounting evidence, the museum admitted to hiring the workers to inject the chemicals. They added that the intent had been to stop the tree from potentially obstructing the path to the museum.
They publicly apologised for the act, and pledged to do whatever it took to bring the tree back to health.
Legal action against the museum
However, the tree remains in critical condition despite weeks of intensive care — including diluting the soil with water and pruning dead branches.
Because the tree had not immediately received treatment upon its poisoning, its fate still hung in the balance.
Environmental groups in the area have called for the tree to be added to the district’s list of protected trees.
Source: Korea Herald
Adding it to the list will require the consent of the majority of landowners in the area, which has been met with some resistance thus far.
Those who dissented argued that the designation may interfere with their intent to develop the land in the future.
Meanwhile, on 29 June, a group of residents from the area filed a criminal complaint against the museum.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from 시정일보 and the Korea Herald.
