Dalsung 달성 in Daegu valley had been a mud and stone-reinforced fortress since Silla 신라 dynasty(BC 57 ∼ AD 935). It had been a strategic hub in the valley. But its strategic importance had been diminished since Daegu fortress was built on the plain nearby, which was aimed to defend the valley people from Japanese invasion. In 1970, Dalsung was renovated to become a park and zoo.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Japan had a deliberate intention to colonize Joseon 조선 and proceeded to occupy her. On Jan 12, 1909, Sunjong 순종, the last King of the Joseon Dynasty and Ito Hirobumi 伊藤博文, the resident-General of Joseon together visited Dalsung in Daegu. They planted two aromatic trees in memory that were brought from Japan. When they planted the trees, the ages of the trees were 33 and 66 years old respectively, which were the same as those of King Sunjong and Ito Hirobumi. The trees have grown bigger over 100 years and still stand side by side in the middle of the park, without any signs that indicate the event 100 years ago. A Chinese proverb says "Same bed, different dreams." Looks like their wishes regarding the future of the country were totally different. The tree planted by the King is on the right in the view from the park gate of Dalsung.
About 9 months later after their visit to Daegu, Ito Hirobumi was assassinated in north China by a Korean independence activist. King Sunjong's reign also ended when Japan annexed Joseon as a colony in 1910.
