News published: 8 August 2025

This October, the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, will host the Baekdudaegan Bongja Festival. This event aims to highlight the biodiversity of native plants in the region and promote sustainable community development.

Baekdudaegan Bongja Festival
‘Bongja Festival’ is a unique regional event named after a combination of ‘Bonghwa’ (the host region) and ‘Jasaeng-sikmul’ (Korean for native plants). The festival will be held from October 2 to 12 and will take place across 39 themed gardens within the Arboretum.

At its core, the festival highlights the value of Korea’s indigenous plant species. Many of these plants are cultivated by local farmers under contract, contributing to both biodiversity conservation and stable income generation. The festival also promotes sustainable agricultural practices and reflects ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) values by encouraging active participation from local small businesses, artists, and community groups. This collaborative approach helps revitalize the local community while strengthening biodiversity conservation and preventing regional decline.