Jo Jan 8, 2025

More than ten old Kwangmyong Zelkova trees are growing by Jogye Gate of the Sogwang Temple about twenty kilometers north of the seat of Kosan County, Kangwon Province, DPRK.

These trees are said to have been planted in 1386, when the Sogwang Temple was being built.

The largest one is 27 meters tall, with the root collar of 9.8 meters round, the chest-height of 8 meters round and the canopy of 25 meters in diameter. The smallest one is 12 meters tall, with the root collar of 2.4 meters round, the chest-height of 2.3 meters round and the canopy of 8 meters in diameter.

These large old trees are designated as a living monument and in good preservation and care as they are of academic and educational significance and add beauty to the Sogwang Temple.