Korea Forest Service, to repair and refurbish 790km of mountain trails this year



Going to the mountains, one of the our nation''s typical hobbies, is being likely to become more safe than before. The Korea Forest Service(KFS) is to extensively repair mountain trails of 100 most frequently visited mountains.



KFS will go ahead with its plans to protect hikers and forest ecosystem by fixing damaged mountain trails as the climbing population is steadily increasing which reached 15 million hikers per year.



Mountain trails of 1,727km had been repaired throughout the country from 2003 to 2009. Repairing project of mountain trails will continue this year as well on 790km in most frequently visited mountains.



Also, KFS will prioritize restoring hike trails in areas with landslide hazards, protrusion of tree roots, and newly emerging waterways according to the "Improvement Plans of Repairing Mountain Trails." It will establish necessary facilities in the required places only for security and convenience of mountain climbers.



KFS employed 287 workers as "forest path monitors" to perform accurate examination on the condition of mountain trails and surrounding environment.



KFS official noted that "people should use designated mountain trails and manage the trails systematically in order to maintain mountain trails in good condition. Also, we will conduct a campaign for correct climbing culture and continue repairing of mountain trails."