Residents from all 16 dong join tree-planting ceremony at Mapo Saevit Cultural Forest; district office unveils progress board to track and sustain the green city drive
Mapo-gu held a declaration ceremony Wednesday for its "Plant 5 Million Trees Again" initiative at Mapo Saevit Cultural Forest, marking the official launch of the green city project at the heart of the district's ninth elected-term agenda.
The event built on the achievements of the original "5 Million Trees" campaign carried out during the district's seventh elected term, with the aim of announcing the project's relaunch, sharing its direction, and rallying residents around the goal of a greener Mapo.
About 200 people attended the ceremony, including residents from all 16 dong and invited guests.
District Mayor Yoo Dong-kyun read out the vision declaration for the initiative before leading a ceremony with guests and resident representatives. Residents then planted trees — including Judas trees, burning bush and tricolor spirea — across seven planting zones under the guidance of community gardeners.
The event also featured traditional folk music and live performances, along with stone-art and wood-art workshops for children.
On the same day, an unveiling ceremony was held for a progress board in the lobby of the district office. The board will display up-to-date planting figures to keep residents informed and encourage broader participation in the project.
The district plans to expand green spaces beyond public areas such as parks and roadsides to include schools, apartment complexes and privately owned idle land. It will also work to raise public awareness of the value of trees and greenery, and pursue the project through shared participation by residents, businesses and the wider community in both planting and maintenance.
Through these efforts, the district aims to plant more than 5 million trees in total by June 2038, expanding green spaces and rest areas throughout the urban landscape.
"Planting trees is planting the future — the 5 million trees represent Mapo's commitment to creating cool shade along alleyways and roadsides, and nurturing forests close to where people live and work," District Mayor Yoo Dong-kyun said. "We will plant and tend with care the trees we planted together with residents on Thursday, so that they may enrich the lives of future generations."
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