Distinguished citizens of the Republic of Korea, foresters, forestry stakeholders and members of the Korea Forest Service (KFS)!

As we welcome the New Year, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to you and express my sincere wishes for your good health and happiness.

Last year, our country experienced year-round climate disasters, including large-scale forest fires and landslides. I convey my sincere apologies and heartfelt comfort to all those affected. My deepest gratitude also goes to everyone who devoted themselves to disaster response and restoration efforts.

The Korea Forest Service, guided by the vision of “Forests for People, People for Forests,” has committed itself to innovating forest disaster response, strengthening the social and economic value of forests, and ensuring their sustainable management and conservation. Over the past six months since the launch of the new administration, we have achieved meaningful results.

To this end, the KFS established a government-wide Comprehensive Forest Fire Management Plan, reinforcing a pre-emptive and robust response posture by expanding the mobilization of national firefighting assets?including those of the military and fire services?and by elevating joint training.

To prevent secondary damage from forest disasters, emergency restoration around residential areas was completed in a timely manner, and legislative and financial support were also enhanced for affected residents and foresters.

We also strengthened the role of forests as a foundation for shared growth with local communities by advancing policies for mountain villages and foresters, including the pilot operation of the East?West Trail of Korea and the expansion of forestry direct payments.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to these meaningful achievements. This year, the Korea Forest Service will focus on further developing past achievements, addressing remaining gaps and successfully advancing the government’s second-year policy agenda through the following five priority areas.

First, the Korea Forest Service will safeguard public security by taking all-out response measures for forest disasters.

We will reinforce the government’s full responsibility and innovate our forest fire response system. When forest fires occur, firefighting resources will be mobilized immediately?without institutional barriers?to enable a swift and pre-emptive response.

Rigorous prevention is more important than rapid initial suppression. In this regard, we will significantly expand forest fire safety buffer zones around residential areas and further extend the span of nationwide campaigns to promote removing agricultural by-products, thereby preventing fires caused by open burning before they occur.

In addition, the government will designate the first week of March as Forest Fire Prevention Week and launch a nationwide public awareness campaign. As most forest fires in Korea are caused by human negligence, I encourage all citizens to take part in prevention efforts as a forest fire watcher.

To reduce increasing damage from landslides driven by extreme rainfall, the KFS will concentrate preventive measures on landslide-prone areas and establish proactive evacuation systems.

KFS will also shift the paradigm for managing pine wilt disease. Pine forests that have suffered extensive damage, will be converted, by planting alternative species, such as nectar-producing tree species including black locust and hardy rubber tree, as well as oak species, fundamentally preventing further damage and contributing to increased incomes in agricultural and mountain communities.

Second, the KFS will support the well-being of our citizens through forests.

We will strengthen the role of forest therapy in addressing social issues, including suicide prevention and the alleviation of depression. By providing tailored forest therapy programs for different groups and working in close collaboration with the Suicide Prevention Policy Committee, we will work toward a Healthier People, Healthier Society.

We will expand key infrastructure?such as highly accessible urban healing forests, regional natural recreation forests, and forest campgrounds?while strategically establishing urban forests to enhance equity in access to green spaces.

Living gardens?including indoor and outdoor gardens and rooftop gardens?will be expanded through the effective use of public and multi-use facilities, and state-owned land. In addition, street trees will be better managed to create healthy and beautiful tree-lined streets, contributing to improved living environments.

Third, the KFS will expand support to enhance productivity across the forestry sector.

To facilitate the transition from 'an era of establishing forests' to 'an era of managing forests', we will establish a sustainable foundation for forestry.

We will continue our efforts to introduce a Forest Land Bank to encourage foresters’ participation in forest management and revitalize forest land transactions, and to reform the forestry taxation system. We will also strengthen income stability for forest households by rationalizing forestry direct payment rates and introducing optional direct payment schemes.

We will transform public forest management projects into quality employment opportunities and create more forestry jobs for youth through demand-driven capacity building and support for employment and entrepreneurship.

Enforcement measures, including increased administrative fines and business restrictions, will be introduced for violations of safety-related laws and regulations. In close coordination with relevant authorities, such as the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, the Korea Forest Service will enhance the effectiveness of labor inspections and safety training, creating safer working conditions across the forestry sector.

Fourth, the KFS will contribute to regional prosperity by creating attractive mountain communities.

To promote mountain village experiences and encourage relocating to mountain communities, we will establish Mountain Village Shelters and expand education and consulting services for prospective residents. We will also strengthen support for local communities to independently develop and operate forest tourism programs.

In addition, we will conduct demand surveys to designate at least one National Garden in each of the Five Hubs and Three Special Zones, expand Garden Cities, and leverage popular gardens as regional landmarks.

We will also complete, without delay, the development of the 849-kilometer East?West Trail of Korea, a Korean-style long-distance trail that runs across the nation from coast to coast, inspired by the Santiago pilgrimage route.

Fifth, the KFS will strengthen the role of forests in combating the climate crisis.

Forests are a vital asset for reducing carbon emissions and conserving biodiversity.

The Korea Forest Service will promote a virtuous cycle of forest management?planting, tending, harvesting, and utilizing forests?and expand climate-resilient mixed forests of broadleaf and conifer species to enhance the carbon sequestration capacity of Korea’s forests.

At the same time, the KFS will advance the implementation of REDD+ projects in countries such as Lao PDR and Viet Nam to contribute to overseas forest-based mitigation. Meanwhile, we will expand protected areas and forest OECMs (Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures) and conserve endangered tree species to enhance biodiversity.

To advance the transition from ‘an era of trees’ to an ‘an era of timber,’ we will promote the high-value use of domestically produced timber, a vital carbon sink. We will provide full-scale support across the entire value chain?from production to consumption?by expanding domestic timber industry hubs, upgrading aging facilities, and promoting a culture of wood use.

Alongside implementing work on these five priority areas, we will double our efforts to maintain being a trustworthy organization.

To enhance fairness and transparency in forestry projects, we will foster capable forestry enterprises, promote open and fair competition, and reinforce post-project oversight. We will also introduce a basic design system to advance a quality-driven policy for forest road development.

Finally, through continuous dialogue with key stakeholders, including foresters, experts, and non-governmental organizations, we will formulate and implement our policies based on collective wisdom.

Citizens of the Republic of Korea, foresters, and forestry stakeholders!

This year, all officials of the Korea Forest Service, including myself, will devote our utmost efforts to achieving three key objectives: zero loss of life from forest disasters, maximizing public well-being through forests, and minimizing safety incidents in forestry operations. I kindly ask for your continued trust and support in the year ahead. Please accept my best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.

1 January, 2026

KIM In-ho
Minister
Korea Forest Service