Korea Forest Service
However, as the agency's work was focused solely on maintaining and managing successful national forestation policies, questions were raised about its necessity for a period of time.
Currently, the agency has transformed its identity into one that strives to generate continuous income through forest resources.
In North Korea, there are many mountains, and it is expected that regional forest offices will be expanded to promote afforestation projects centering around Mount Mindungsan.
Both agencies are in charge of forest-related work, but there were frequent conflicts due to differences in specific business objectives.
Therefore, the Korea Forest Service and the Cultural Heritage Administration are working together to create and manage Geumgang Pine plantations.
Not to mention, initiative actions were taken to implement actual projects based on rehabilitation technologies in collaboration between the government and the private sector.
The Korean peninsula lies in the east of the temperate forest zone, which contributes top the distinct seasonal temperature and precipitation.
Notably enough, forest is recognized as a sole carbon sink under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
To maximize this forest value as a key resource, Korea has been working on pursuing Green Growth in various fields such as bioenergy technology development, the biotechnology industry, and other energy businesses.
In the 1950s, forests were left in a state of extreme devastation as the result of excess cutting during and after theJapanese colonization and the Korean War.
The government declared the Nationwide Tree Planting period (3.21~4.20) and Arbor Day to draw out active participation from the public.
More than one million ha of denuded forest were restored with fast growing tree species through public participation.
The KFS put special emphasis on developing valuable forest resources and fostering competitive forestry industry, thereby increasing public benefits for the people.
In implementing the Plan, the KFS continues to establish a foundation for a sustainable welfare society by developing environmental and social resources, and to pursue forest related industries as blue ocean strategy.
It also plays a central role in natural disaster prevention efforts, which is improving ecosystem health and vitality and contributing to public safety and environment conservation.
It further highlights forest's recreational and cultural functions for improving quality of life and living environments both in urban areas and mountain villages as well as providing welfare benefits for the people.
The institute devotes its efforts to preserving and maintaining forest genetic resources for tree improvement research and future R&D.
The missions of Arboretum are to conserve and develop plant resources through comprehensive research, and to promote the public's understanding of the forests.
The main tasks include development of institutional mechanisms for species protection, supporting private cultivators and providing related consulting as well as assessment and registration of new plant varieties.
