Boramae Park, Seoul | May 23, 2025 — The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) is participating in the 2025 Seoul International Garden Show, held from May 22 to October 20 at Boramae Park, Seoul. This participation is part of an official partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and features the unveiling of “The Spring Grove,” AFoCO’s own thematic garden.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Seoul International Garden Show is a flagship green cultural event aimed at expanding garden culture across the city and improving citizens’ quality of life. Under the theme “Seoul, Green Soul,” the 2025 edition features 111 themed gardens and is expected to attract over 10 million domestic and international visitors, sharing values of nature, respect, and sustainability in transforming Seoul into a living, breathing garden.
AFoCO’s delegation, led by Vice Executive Director Mr. Jin Sunpil, attended the opening ceremony alongside AFoCO Secretariat staff and Fellowship officials, joining the event’s mission to promote intercultural cooperation and ecological awareness. Through this participation, AFoCO seeks to engage the public on the importance of sustainable forest management and climate action in Asia, offering a symbolic urban garden where the cultural and ecological values of forests can be experienced firsthand.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the official opening of “The Spring Grove,” AFoCO’s garden, which was designed as part of a city-led initiative and realized through AFoCO’s active collaboration. Spanning 237㎡, the garden draws inspiration from the Korean traditional aesthetic of “Pungryu” , the poetic lifestyle of Joseon-era scholars who found joy in nature. The landscape features natural elements such as pine trees and broad rock formations, symbolizing a stylized version of Korea’s forest scenery. Of special note is the “Ground Forest” installation, where plant species representing AFoCO’s 17 member countries (15 Parties and 2 Observers) are embedded into the garden floor—visually embodying the idea of international unity and cooperation through forests.
“Participating in the Seoul International Garden Show is a meaningful opportunity for AFoCO to reconnect people with nature and raise awareness on the value of forests,” said Mr. Jin Sunpil, Vice Executive Director of AFoCO. “ The AFoCO Garden will serve as a symbolic platform where forests are not only ecological spaces but also catalysts for cultural exchange, community, and international cooperation.”
The garden show runs from May 22 to October 20, covering 400,000㎡ of Boramae Park with 111 themed gardens. Alongside the exhibitions, the event features performances, cultural programs, and hands-on activities that promote sustainability and respect for nature across global audiences.
Through this initiative, AFoCO reaffirms its commitment to leading international cooperation for sustainable forest management and resilient urban development, while strengthening its environmental diplomacy in close collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Watch the video highlights from the opening ceremony of The Spring Grove.