Threatened ginkgo

Korea's environmental movement may one day owe its birth to a 1000-year-old ginkgo tree, and a dedicated preservationist, Cha Joon Yup, attempting to save the tree's life.

Construction plans for one high-rise apartment in densely populated Seoul propose building within three metres of what may be Asia's oldest living ginkgo tree. This would surely endanger, perhaps kill the tree.

The activist has so far held off the developers with a hunger fast, and press conferences at the tree's base. Nevertheless, the area is still slated for development.

Cha Joon Yup needs international support, such as letters to the Korean embassy. n

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