“I’ve Found It!” Eleven Wild Ginseng Roots Worth 120 Million Won Discovered on Mount Jiri

Eleven roots of rare wild ginseng were found together on the slopes of Mount Jiri in Macheon-myeon, Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang Province. Their combined appraised value reached 120 million won.

The roots were collected recently by a herbalist in his 60s at an altitude of about 800 meters, the Korea Traditional Simmani Association said on the seventh. The association defines 천종 산삼 as wild mountain ginseng that has grown naturally, without human intervention, through at least 50 years of successive generations.

The roots showed dark yellow coloring on their rhizomes, leading experts to estimate that they had continued through five generations. Their ages were estimated at between 20 and 100 years. Each root measured more than 40 centimeters, and the roots showed signs of repeated periods of dormancy during natural recovery, along with numerous fine wrinkles on their bodies.

Association president Jeong Hyeong-beom said the roots weighed 76 grams altogether and had been valued at 120 million won. The appraisal used an old method that assessed wild ginseng by comparing its value with the price of naturally fertilized cultivated ginseng and the price of gold during the Joseon period.

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The total weight of the wild ginseng discovered this time was 76 grams, and its appraised value was set at 120 million won.