Dozens of trees have been cut down around Pusan National University (PNU) Humanities Building. Now, it is causing regret among PNU members.

According to some anonymous PNU officials, those trees were cut down in the park (2,387 square meters, about 723 *Pyeong) behind the professor's research building and the flowerbed near the security office at PNU Humanities Building. More than 14 trees were cut down, and they were high enough to cover the height of the five-story building. On the land with a length of 80 m and an area of 500 to 600 ㎡, stumps with a diameter of 47 cm remained empty.

PNU took a stand that there are no procedural problems. According to the administrative office of College of Humanities, such logging was done to foster the "Beautiful Campus." plan. This refers to a long-term and systematic project to cultivate PNU Busan Campus with Geum-Jeong Mountain and Mirinae Valley so the students can concentrate on education and academic activities. An official from the administrative office of the University of Humanities said, "The project was carried out with the approval of the dean." An official from the general affairs department of PNU drew a line of controversy, saying, "The PNU president also gave permission to the landscaping project."

PNU students who visited this place could not hide their sadness. An anonymous PNU student A said, "I used to sit on a bench nearby, but I was surprised and sorry that the trees around the building disappeared." Another anonymous PNU student B said, "Most of my friends, including myself, don't know why they became like this. It's a pity that the big trees were cut down. Even if we proceed with a project, I hope there is a notice for students to understand." One of faculty member of Humanities Building C criticized, "If the path our campus wants to take is such reckless development and unilateral promotion, it is a matter to look out for."

*Pyeong : The area unit. One pyeong in general-type corresponds to 3.3058 ㎡.

Reporter Im Ha-Eun

Translated by Shin Ji-Won