Yeoju City Concludes 'World Peony Conference Korea Forum'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Yeoju City announced on the 28th that it successfully concluded the 'World Peony Conference Korea Forum.'

The event was held with the cooperation of Heze City in Shandong Province and the Heze City Peony Development Service Center, with participation from relevant organizations including the Yeoju City Forest Cooperative, Yeoju City Medicinal Peony Research Association, and Yeoju City Ornamental Flower Federation.

The World Peony Conference Korea Forum was organized to reexamine the value of peonies and medicinal peonies (paeonia), and to explore possibilities for industrial applications.

Both peonies and medicinal peonies are high-value crops utilized not only for their beauty but also as traditional medicine ingredients and cosmetics raw materials. At this forum, diverse research results and case presentations from domestic and international experts were shared.

The city plans to expand production of peonies and medicinal peonies to increase income for farmers and forestry workers, and to promote sustainable regional development by establishing scenic agricultural complexes. This month, the city will visit Heze City in China to strengthen exchange and cooperation in the peony and medicinal peony industries.

With 2025 proclaimed as the 'inaugural year of tourism,' Yeoju City expects this event to serve as an important opportunity in pursuing development strategies that link regional agriculture and tourism.

Mayor Lee Chung-woo of Yeoju said, "Through the World Peony Conference Korea Forum, I hope we discover new possibilities for medicinal peonies and peonies, and that this becomes a meaningful opportunity for regional economic vitalization and improvement in the quality of life for farmers and forestry workers. I hope this event brings a moment of small comfort and happiness to our citizens."