The Changwon Big Tree controversy has been struggling to find a solution for a year

It has been a year since the artificial tree observation tower “Big Tree,” built at Daesang Park in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, was unveiled and then engulfed in controversy over being an eyesore, but no clear solution has yet been found. Big Tree was built as a private park development special project, and the private developer carried out the project by constructing park facilities, donating them to the city, and building apartments on the remaining land. However, Big Tree, which cost 34.4 billion won, was criticized for looking different from what had been expected due to design changes and construction differences. Changwon City said it would prepare improvement measures, but the cultureandmultipurpose complex “Moms Free Zone,” built together with Big Tree, has also yet to find a way to be used. Both facilities are already owned by the city, so any additional repair or modification costs are likely to end up burdening local finances. The city has taken administrative action against the relevant public officials and requested an investigation into the private developer, but accountability and followup measures remain unclear.