His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday afternoon visited the Spirited Garden, a place known for its Bonsai, around 20 kilometres from Jeju city, Korea.

Accompanying His Majesty were Pehin Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dato Paduka Haji Harun bin Haji Ismail, Brunei Darussalam Ambassador to Republic of Korea and other officials.

Upon arrival, His Majesty was received by Mr Bum Young Sung, the founder of the Spirited Garden.

Some 2,000 collections of Bonsai from around 100 species can be found in the garden with some as old as a few hundred years.

Mr Bum Young Sung gave His Majesty a personal tour of the Spirited Garden. He was instrumental in transforming a desolate piece of wasteland into one of the world's most beautiful gardens in half a century through years of trimming tress and dragging around hefty stones.

During the tour, His Majesty also stopped by to feed the Japanese koi in one of the ponds at the garden.

His Majesty signed the visitor's book and received a pesambah from Mr Bum Young Sung before concluding the tour.

The Spirited Garden is where people can experience pleasure and relaxation through the sublime coexistence of harmony with nature. - Borneo Bulletin (3rd June 2009)