🚨 Korea Forest Service: Large-Scale Wildfire Response System Analysis

Today Korean Social News | 2025.04.01

📌 Large-scale Forest Fire Response System Urgently Needs Improvement

💬 Recent large-scale forest fires in Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk regions have caused extensive damage. In this process, problems with the forest fire suppression system have been revealed. Along with criticism that the Korea Forest Service's forest management policy is vulnerable to forest fires, there are concerns that prompt suppression is difficult due to insufficient personnel. In particular, opinions are being raised that responsibility for forest fire suppression is concentrated in the Korea Forest Service, necessitating role allocation and cooperation with the National Fire Agency.

Summary

• The Korea Forest Service is a government agency that oversees forest policies, with forest protection, management, forest fire prevention and suppression as its main tasks.
• The Korea Forest Service's policies directly affect public life and the environment, and also play an important role in responding to climate change.
• Ordinary citizens can contribute to forest policies by following forest fire prevention rules, participating in forest protection activities, and using wood products.

1️⃣ Definition

The Korea Forest Service refers to a government agency that oversees forest policies, protects and nurtures forest resources, and establishes and implements policies for the sustainable use of forests. Simply put, it is the agency responsible for protecting and cultivating our country's forests and mountains.

The Korea Forest Service is an external agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, handling forest-related tasks such as forest protection, forest fire prevention and suppression, forest resource development, forestry promotion, and other general forest-related matters.

💡 Why is it important?

• Forests cover about 63% of the national land and directly affect public life and the environment.
• Forests provide essential ecosystem services such as air purification, water resource protection, and biodiversity maintenance.
• In the era of climate change, the carbon absorption function of forests is becoming increasingly important.

2️⃣ Main Tasks and Roles of the Korea Forest Service

📕 Forest Protection and Management

• Forest fire prevention and suppression are core tasks of the Korea Forest Service. The Korea Forest Service establishes a comprehensive forest fire prevention plan and operates a special response system during the spring (February-May) and fall (November-December) forest fire prevention periods. It deploys forest fire monitors, operates a 24-hour forest fire situation room, and conducts rapid suppression using helicopters and firefighting personnel. It also conducts public promotion and education for forest fire prevention, and announces the forest fire danger index to prevent fires in advance. Recently, it has introduced a forest fire monitoring system using drones and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance early detection capabilities.

• Forest pest control and landslide prevention are also important tasks. The Korea Forest Service conducts surveillance and control operations to prevent the spread of major forest pests such as pine wilt disease and oak wilt disease. It also conducts risk area surveys and erosion control projects (landslide prevention construction) to respond to increasing landslide risks due to climate change. Particularly during the summer heavy rain period, it operates a landslide forecast system to provide early warnings to residents in risk areas. These efforts minimize human casualties and property damage from natural disasters.

📕 Forest Resource Development and Utilization

• The Korea Forest Service develops forest resources through afforestation projects and forest tending. The Korea Forest Service conducts afforestation projects across the country every year to create new forests. It plants suitable trees in deforested areas or damaged forests, and works on replacing species to respond to climate change. It also performs forest tending to improve the health and productivity of existing forests. This includes thinning (widening the space between trees), pruning, and removing vines. Recently, it has been promoting multi-purpose forest management that considers carbon absorption, biodiversity, and landscape value beyond simple timber production.

• It supports forest product production and revitalization of the timber industry. The Korea Forest Service supports the production of high value-added forest products (shiitake mushrooms, wild ginseng, wild vegetables, etc.) and implements various policies to increase the income of forestry workers. It also conducts timber industrial complex development, wooden building support, and timber quality certification to promote the production and use of domestic timber. In particular, it has recently focused on policies to enhance the value of wood as an eco-friendly material that can replace fossil fuels in the carbon-neutral era. Through these policies, the Korea Forest Service increases the economic value of forests and contributes to revitalizing the rural economy.

📕 Forest Welfare and International Cooperation

• The Korea Forest Service provides forest welfare services for people to enjoy the benefits of forests. The Korea Forest Service creates and operates various forest welfare facilities such as national parks, natural recreation forests, healing forests, and forest trails. Through these, it provides various forms of forest benefits to people, including rest, healing, education, and leisure. In particular, it has recently expanded facilities and improved service quality in response to the increased demand for forest recreation after COVID-19. It also operates forest education programs for children and youth through childcare forest experience centers and forest education centers. These activities contribute to improving the physical and mental health of the people and enhancing understanding and affection for forests.

• It also participates in climate change response and international forest cooperation. The Korea Forest Service promotes forest carbon sink expansion projects to achieve national greenhouse gas reduction targets under the Climate Change Convention. It contributes to carbon neutrality through afforestation, forest tending to enhance the carbon absorption capacity of domestic forests, and the creation of urban forests and forests near living areas. It also participates in global forest conservation through 'Forest ODA (Official Development Assistance)' supporting forest restoration in developing countries. In particular, it conducts projects such as desertification prevention and tropical forest protection in places like Mongolia, Indonesia, and Cambodia, and actively participates in international forest organizations and conventions. Such international cooperation contributes to solving global environmental problems while providing an opportunity to introduce Korea's forest restoration experience and technology to the world.

Main Business Areas of the Korea Forest Service

1. Forest Protection: Forest fire prevention and suppression, pest control, landslide prevention
2. Forest Resource Development: Afforestation projects, forest tending, seed and nursery management
3. Forestry Promotion: Forest product production and distribution support, forestry worker development
4. Timber Industry Revitalization: Promotion of timber use, timber quality management
5. Forest Welfare: Operation of natural recreation forests, healing forests, forest education, etc.
6. Forest Ecosystem Conservation: Protected area management, biodiversity conservation
7. Urban Forest Creation: Expansion of green spaces near residential areas
8. Climate Change Response: Expansion of carbon sinks, forest carbon offset projects
9. International Cooperation: Overseas forest restoration, cooperation with international organizations
10. Forest Research: Development of forest science and technology, operation of seed banks

3️⃣ Impact and Issues of Korea Forest Service Policies

✅ Impact of Korea Forest Service Policies on Our Lives

• Korea Forest Service policies directly affect public life and the environment. The forest management policies of the Korea Forest Service affect our daily lives in various ways. First, they provide clean air and water. Healthy forests help maintain a clean environment by absorbing air pollutants and protecting water resources. Second, they protect from natural disasters. Properly managed forests reduce the risk of natural disasters such as landslides and floods, creating a safe living environment. Third, they provide spaces for rest and healing. Natural recreation forests, forest bathing sites, etc. provide opportunities for stress relief and health promotion to urban residents. Fourth, they contribute to the local economy. Forestry, forest product production, and forest tourism are important sources of income for rural areas. Thus, the policies of the Korea Forest Service play important roles in various aspects of our environment, safety, health, and economy.

• The role of forests is becoming increasingly important in the era of climate change. As climate change intensifies, the role and value of forests are receiving more attention. First, there is the role as a carbon sink. Forests are natural carbon sinks that absorb and store atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. The Korea Forest Service's afforestation and forest tending policies contribute to enhancing this carbon absorption capacity. Second, they help adapt to climate change. Forests enhance the ability to adapt to climate change through urban heat island effect mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and water resource management. Third, they are a source of eco-friendly materials. Wood is an eco-friendly material that can replace materials like iron, concrete, and plastic which emit high levels of carbon. The Korea Forest Service's policies to promote wood use contribute to the transition to a low-carbon society. For these reasons, the Korea Forest Service's climate change response policies are considered essential elements for achieving the national carbon neutrality goal.

✅ Major Issues and Challenges of Korea Forest Service Policies

• Forest fire response system and personnel issues are important concerns. The Korea Forest Service faces several challenges in forest fire prevention and suppression. First, there is an increased risk of forest fires due to climate change. As temperatures rise and droughts increase, the possibility of large-scale forest fires increases, requiring a stronger response system. Second, there is a shortage of forest fire suppression personnel and equipment. In particular, there are criticisms that the number of specialized forest firefighters and firefighting helicopters is insufficient compared to the forest area. Third, there is the issue of role allocation and cooperation between the Korea Forest Service and the National Fire Agency. Currently, the main responsibility for forest fire suppression lies with the Korea Forest Service, but opinions suggest that a more efficient cooperation system with the National Fire Agency is needed. Fourth, there are criticisms that forest tending and fuel management for forest fire prevention are insufficient. In response, the Korea Forest Service is pursuing measures such as expanding forest fire response budget and personnel, introducing advanced equipment, and strengthening cooperation with related agencies.

• The balance between forest use and conservation is an important task. The Korea Forest Service faces the challenge of finding a balance between the economic use and environmental conservation of forests. First, there is conflict with development pressure. With increasing demands for forest conversion (changing forests to other uses) for solar power generation, tourism facilities, housing development, etc., appropriate regulation and coordination are necessary. Second, there is the issue of balance between timber production and ecosystem conservation. A sustainable approach must be found between logging for economic value and preservation for ecological value. Third, there is the environmental burden due to increased forest recreation demand. As forest leisure activities such as hiking and camping increase, issues of ecosystem damage or waste problems arise. Fourth, there is the difficulty of managing private forests. About 67% of domestic forests are privately owned, making effective forest management difficult without the active participation of forest owners. In response to these challenges, the Korea Forest Service is applying sustainable forest management principles and pursuing various policies such as ecosystem service payment systems and private forest management support.

✅ Future Direction of Forest Policies

• Smart forest management using digital technology is expected to expand. The Korea Forest Service is expanding smart forest management using the latest digital technology. First, remote monitoring systems using drones and satellites are being established. These allow more efficient monitoring of forest fires, pest surveillance, and illegal logging. Second, forest disaster prediction systems using artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are being developed. These will help predict and prevent risks of forest fires or landslides in advance. Third, citizen-participatory forest management using mobile apps and IoT technology will expand. Platforms are being built for citizens to report and participate in monitoring forest conditions. Fourth, virtual forest systems using digital twin technology are being researched. These will allow simulation of various forest management scenarios and establishment of optimal policies. Such smart forest management is expected to enable more efficient forest management with limited personnel and resources.

• The role of forests in the carbon-neutral era will be further strengthened. The role of forests is becoming increasingly important for achieving the 2050 carbon neutrality goal. First, forest carbon sink expansion policies will be strengthened. Policies to maximize the carbon absorption capacity of forests through afforestation, reforestation, and forest tending will be expanded. Second, the forest carbon offset system will be activated. The system where companies or individuals can have the carbon absorption amount obtained through forest creation and management recognized as greenhouse gas reduction achievements is expected to expand. Third, policies to promote the use of wood and forest products will be strengthened. Policies encouraging the use of wood as an eco-friendly alternative, such as expanding wooden buildings instead of concrete buildings and using wood products instead of disposable plastics, will be expanded. Fourth, the creation of urban forests and forests near residential areas will be expanded. More urban forests are expected to be created for carbon absorption in cities and mitigation of the heat island effect. These policies are expected to contribute to both climate change response and improvement of public living environments.

4️⃣ Related Terms Explanation

🔎 Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters

• The Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters is a temporary organization for forest fire prevention and suppression.
• The Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters is a temporary organization established in the Korea Forest Service and local governments during the forest fire prevention periods (spring: February-May, fall: November-December). This organization oversees and coordinates all tasks related to forest fires, including prevention, monitoring, report reception, suppression, and post-management. The Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters operates a 24-hour situation room and has a system for rapid initial response in case of forest fires. The head is assumed by the Korea Forest Service Director (central) or mayor/county governor (local) and plays a role in coordinating cooperation between related agencies such as forestry, fire, police, and military units. It also has the authority to take measures such as controlling forest entry, closing hiking trails, and issuing forest fire warnings according to the forest fire risk level. The Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters is disbanded when the forest fire prevention period ends, but recently, with the year-round risk of forest fires due to climate change, transition to a permanent operation system is being considered.

🔎 Erosion Control Project

• Erosion control projects are construction works to prevent landslides and soil erosion.
• Erosion control projects refer to construction works and related activities carried out to prevent forest damage and soil erosion caused by landslides, debris flows, floods, etc. 'Erosion control' means 'blocking sand,' implying prevention of soil or sand being washed away by water. Erosion control projects are largely divided into 4 types. First, hillside erosion control involves creating terraced foundations on hillsides and planting trees to prevent soil erosion. Second, stream erosion control involves building dams with stones or concrete in valleys to regulate the flow of soil and water. Third, erosion control dams are structures installed in valleys to prevent soil generated by landslides or debris flows from flowing downstream. Fourth, coastal erosion control involves construction to prevent sand loss and wind damage on coasts. The Korea Forest Service surveys risk areas every year and conducts erosion control projects according to priority, with efforts to complete them before the summer season when heavy rains are frequent.

🔎 Forest Carbon Offset System

• The Forest Carbon Offset System is a system to gain recognition for carbon absorption through forests.
• The Forest Carbon Offset System is a system that allows companies or individuals to gain recognition for the amount of carbon absorbed through voluntary forest creation or management, and to use this as their own greenhouse gas reduction achievement. Simply put, it is a system where one can offset greenhouse gas emissions by receiving 'carbon credits' for the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed through activities like planting and growing trees. This system has been operated by the Korea Forest Service since 2013, and participants can gain recognition for carbon absorption through projects such as afforestation, reforestation, forest tending, wood product use, and forest biomass energy utilization. The recognized carbon credits can be sold through exchanges, used to offset one's own emissions, or used for social contribution activities. Recently, as ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) management has become important, many companies are participating in this system, and it is attracting attention as an important means to achieve carbon neutrality goals. The Korea Forest Service aims to absorb 10 million tons of carbon annually through the Forest Carbon Offset System by 2050.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How can ordinary citizens contribute to forest protection?

A: Ordinary citizens can participate in forest protection in various ways. First, strictly follow forest fire prevention rules. Refrain from carrying fire-making materials and smoking during forest trips, and cooking should only be done in designated areas. Particular caution is needed during spring (February-May) and fall (November-December) when forest fire risk is high. Second, participate in forest cleaning activities. You can directly contribute to improving the forest environment by participating in volunteer activities such as picking up forest trash or maintaining hiking trails organized by local governments or environmental organizations. Third, participate in tree planting events. Various tree planting events are held across the country around Arbor Day every year. Fourth, save and recycle paper and wood products in daily life. Reducing paper use, using wood products for a long time, and thorough recycling also indirectly help protect forests. Fifth, participate in forest environmental education. By participating in forest education programs operated by natural recreation forests or national arboretums, you can better understand the importance of forests. Sixth, purchase domestic timber and eco-friendly forest products. This is a way to support sound forest management.

Q: How do I report a forest fire?

A: It is important to report promptly when you discover a forest fire. The reporting methods are as follows. First, call 119. You will be connected to the fire department, and you should explain the location and size of the forest fire in as much detail as possible. Second, you can also report through the Korea Forest Service forest fire report phone at 042-481-4119. Third, reporting is also possible through smartphone apps like 'National Disaster Safety Portal' or 'Korea Forest Service' app. These apps automatically transmit location information, enabling more accurate reporting. When reporting, please clearly indicate the following: 1) Forest fire location (mountain name, nearby village or road name, etc.), 2) Size and spread of the forest fire, 3) Reporter's contact information, 4) Whether there is concern for human casualties in the vicinity. It is important to report even small forest fires quickly. This is because damage can be minimized if suppressed early. After reporting a forest fire, evacuate to a safe place and, if possible, cooperate with suppression authorities.

Q: What recreational facilities does the Korea Forest Service operate?

A: The Korea Forest Service operates various forest recreational facilities for people to enjoy and rest in forests. First, natural recreation forests are comprehensive recreation spaces with accommodation facilities, camping sites, walking paths, etc. in forests. There are about 200 locations nationwide, operated by the National Forest Recreation Management Office, local governments, and the private sector. Second, healing forests are specialized facilities that utilize the healing effects of forests to help promote health. You can receive forest healing programs and guidance from professional forest interpreters. Third, forest bathing sites are simple resting spaces created near cities, equipped with walking paths and simple rest facilities. Fourth, forest trails (trekking courses) are paths created to walk through forests and appreciate nature, with various themed forest trails across the country. Fifth, childcare forest experience centers are spaces where children can play and learn in forests. Sixth, forest sports facilities are spaces to enjoy leisure activities in forests, equipped with mountain bike courses, zip lines, etc. Most of these facilities can be reserved through the 'Korea Forest Service Integrated Reservation System (https://reservation.foresttrip.go.kr)', and some facilities can also be visited on-site.

Q: What benefits and support programs does the Korea Forest Service provide for forestry workers?

A: The Korea Forest Service operates various support programs for income enhancement and stable management of forestry workers. First, there are forestry start-up and management support projects. These provide business funds, consulting, and education to forestry sector start-ups and existing forestry workers. Second, there are forest income source development projects. These provide funds for the creation of production and processing facilities for forest products (shiitake mushrooms, wild ginseng, wild vegetables, etc.). Third, there is forestry worker disaster insurance. This supports insurance premiums that compensate for forest product damage caused by forest fires, pests, natural disasters, etc. Fourth, there are settlement support projects for those returning to mountain villages. These provide settlement funds, housing, jobs, etc. to those moving from cities to mountain villages. Fifth, there are forestry mechanization support projects. These support the purchase of mechanical equipment to enhance the efficiency of forestry operations. Sixth, there is support for obtaining forest management certification. This provides consulting and cost support for obtaining sustainable forest management certification (FSC, PEFC, etc.). Detailed information about these support programs can be found through the Korea Forest Service website or nearby forest cooperatives, regional forest services. Most support projects are announced at the beginning of the year, so interested forestry workers should check support plans in January-February.