Global Economic Times

Secretary General Oh Jin-Ki: “2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo will deliver ‘Mental Recovery’ beyond spectacular sights”: HONG MOON HWA Senior Reporter / Updated : 2026-01-22 05:45:34

The world’s first international expo themed "Horticultural Healing"… Elevating prestige through AIPH certification. “Our goal is to establish a sustainable healing culture and build a regional brand, rather than just hosting a one-time festival.”

In a fast-paced modern society, nature is being highlighted not just as an object of admiration, but as a space for healing. The ‘2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo,’ to be held in Taean, Chungnam, in 2026, is the world's first international event to respond to these contemporary demands. Inheriting the "Success DNA" of the 2002 and 2009 Anmyeondo Flower Expos, we met with Oh Jin-Ki, the Secretary General of the Organizing Committee, who is preparing a new model that combines horticulture with healing, to hear about the expo’s vision and current preparations.

Q. First, what inspired the hosting of the <2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo> and what were the initial goals? As an expo that combines ‘horticulture’ and ‘healing,’ what is the value you want to emphasize most?

The 2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo started with a question about the ‘recovery’ our society needs, moving beyond simple exhibitions or festivals. In an era of rapid change and competition, where many suffer from both physical and mental fatigue, we determined that an opportunity was needed to experience the healing power of nature in daily life. Taean, in particular, is a rare region in Korea where the sea, forest, and gardens harmonize, making it the most natural space to realize horticulture and healing.

The value I want to emphasize is not flashy spectacles, but the experience of self-reflection and recovery through plants and nature. Reconnecting the relationship between nature and humans and empowering individuals to recover on their own is both the starting point and the goal of this expo.

Q. As the Secretary General overseeing this expo, what is the most important issue for you?

As Secretary General, my top priority is the ‘actual experience of the visitors.’ I believe what truly matters, more than the scale or format of the expo, is what each individual feels in this space and what state of mind they carry home. Therefore, we are basing all planning and operation standards on the visitors' flow and experience.

Another priority is the prestige and stability of an international event. Since this is the world’s first international expo themed on ‘horticultural healing,’ the quality of content and the reliability of operations are paramount. Simultaneously, it is a crucial task to balance the event so it isn't just an isolated incident, but a collective effort created together with the citizens of Taean.

Q. What has been the biggest challenge in preparing for an international expo, and how are you responding to it?

I believe the biggest challenge is how to help people understand and then implement the world's first ‘horticultural healing’ themed expo. Since the concept of horticultural healing is not yet familiar to the general public, the key task is how to translate it into exhibition and program formats. The Organizing Committee is focusing on converting the concept of healing into concrete experiential content through collaboration with academia, industry, and field experts.

At the same time, we are steadily building a systematic foundation by securing international event approval and AIPH (International Association of Horticultural Producers) certification. I believe that on an unfamiliar path, principles and steps are vital. We prioritize direction over speed, increasing the level of perfection one step at a time.

Q. What has been the most nerve-wracking moment for you personally during the preparation process so far?

The most anxious moments were when we were preparing for the international event approval and the AIPH certification. This process was a major gateway that would determine the character and status of the expo, so the pressure was inevitably high. It wasn't just about whether we could hold the event, but an evaluation of whether it could be ‘recognized as an international expo.’ Accordingly, we checked every single part of the preparation process meticulously, and all members of the organizing committee worked toward the same goal.

It is hard to forget the sense of relief and responsibility I felt when we secured the final approval for the international event in July 2024 and the international certification in September 2024.

Q. What is the biggest change or wish you have for the Taean and Chungnam regions through this expo?

I hope that through this expo, Chungnam and Taean will be recognized as a ‘space of healing.’ Beyond a short-term increase in visitors, I want people to naturally associate the region of Taean with resting and recovering in nature. I expect that Taean’s resources—its sea, forests, and gardens—will establish the region as a unique ‘healing brand’ through this expo, leading to sustainable tourism and industry in the future. My greatest wish is to leave residents with pride and visitors with memories that make them want to return.

Q. Beyond short-term success or visitor numbers, what is the long-term legacy you want to leave behind?

The greatest legacy I want this expo to leave is a ‘culture where healing becomes a part of daily life.’ The expo lasts for a month, but that experience and awareness must continue long after it ends. We plan to operate permanent healing gardens, horticultural experiences, and educational programs after the event, and I hope Taean functions as a continuous hub for healing. Furthermore, it is an important legacy for horticultural healing and healing agriculture to establish themselves as an industry and expand into a future growth engine for the region. We will prepare so that it is not a one-time event but a starting point for sustainable change.

Q. What message do you think South Korea wants to show the world through this expo?

This expo is an attempt to show the world a healing model that adds technology to the power of nature while keeping people at the center. It carries a message to rethink how important it is to recover oneself and regain balance in a society that has prioritized efficiency and performance. I believe horticultural healing through the medium of plants and nature is not a specific country's culture, but a universal value that anyone in the world can practice in their daily lives. I hope that through the experience in Taean, Korea can present new standards and directions in the fields of healing and wellness.

Q. After the event ends, what kind of evaluation would allow you to say it was a ‘successful expo’?

If, after the event, people say more than just “there was a lot to see,” and instead react with “my heart feels much lighter” or “my attitude toward nature in daily life has changed,” then I will consider it a success. It is a sufficient achievement in itself if visitors re-recognize the meaning of staying in nature and carry small practices involving plants into their daily lives.

Additionally, from the international community, if the content composition and operation centered on horticultural healing are evaluated as a representative model for international horticultural healing expos, and if a structure is created locally where healing gardens and experience programs are used continuously even after the expo, that will prove the expo's success.

Q. Finally, is there anything you haven't mentioned or would like to emphasize?

The 2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo does not demand a ‘special’ kind of healing. It is a place that suggests a time to pause for a moment in nature and look after oneself. You can come alone, or with family and friends. You can stay at your own pace and in your own way. I sincerely hope that this time in Taean becomes a small ‘comma’ (pause) for someone and gives them the strength to move forward into their daily lives again. The Organizing Committee will prepare until the end to ensure that moment remains in your memory for a long time.

Q. What is the significance of the 2002 and 2009 Anmyeondo International Flower Expos to this upcoming expo?

Chungnam and Taean already have the experience of successfully hosting international events through two international flower expos. The 2002 Anmyeondo International Flower Expo was an international expo set against the backdrop of the coast and natural scenery, serving as the starting point where Taean's natural environment and horticultural resources were first introduced to the international stage. The 2009 Anmyeondo International Flower Expo was a symbolic event where the local community joined forces to show a message of recovery to the world after suffering the great wound of a large-scale oil spill.

Through these two successful expos, Taean showed the potential to be not just a tourist destination, but a venue for international exchange where nature and horticulture harmonize. It allowed us to accumulate valuable experience in preparing and operating international events together with residents, administration, and experts. The 2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo starts on the foundation of these experiences, but it does not stop at repeating past achievements. We intend to propose a new direction for international expos by expanding flowers from ‘objects to look at’ to ‘mediums to experience recovery’ and connecting horticulture to daily healing and lifestyles.

Q. A final word for the prospective visitors?

The 2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo does not demand anything grand. We want to gift you a time to pause in nature and care for yourself. It is fine to come alone, and it is fine to be with loved ones. Please stay at your own pace. I sincerely hope that your time in Taean becomes a small comma and a source of strength for your daily life.