Nov. 17, 2024 Sunday  
Rodong Sinmun
Kwangmyong Zelkova Trees, Natural Monument

Culture 2024.3.4.



There are 10-odd old zelkova trees beside the Sogwang Temple about 20 kilometers away north of the seat of Kosan County in Kangwon Province.

They are called Kwangmyong zelkova trees.

It is said that the trees were planted in 1386 when the temple was built.

The trees are distributed in a total area of 280 hectares.

The tallest tree is 27 meters in height with 9.8 meters in collar round, 8 meters in girth and about 25 meters in crown.

The smallest one is 12 meters high with 2.4 meters in collar round, 2.3 meters in girth and about 8 meters in crown.

The trees are of scholastic and educational values and enhance the beauty of the temple.

They have been preserved as a natural monument.

Rodong Sinmun