The remains of Min Pyong-gal, who established Korea’s first civilian arboretum in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, in the 1970s have been relocated to a site inside it based on his wishes.

According to the Chollipo Arboretum Foundation, the remains of the nationalized Korean citizen were moved on Sunday to a location under a magnolia tree that he liked in what is now acclaimed worldwide as Asia’s largest arboretum.

The relocation took place to mark the 10th anniversary of his death. After his death in 2002, his body was laid to rest in an undisclosed site. But according to his wishes, his remains were cremated last month.

Before he died, he said, “After I pass away, plant one more tree rather than setting aside a piece of land for my tomb,” according to the foundation.

Born Carl Ferris Miller, Min came to South Korea as a military intelligence officer in 1945 and was nationalized in 1979. After changing his citizenship to Korean, he also changed his name to Min Pyong-gal. He adopted four Korean sons and educated them.

What was envisioned as his weekend cottage and garden has resulted in a wonderland of some 14,000 different kinds of plants that impress knowledgeable botanists as well as holiday visitors.

In his original tomb site, a gravestone saying he was laid to rest for a decade was installed. That site is to be turned into the Carl Ferris Miller Memorial Garden, the foundation said.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)