The Korea Forest Service (KFS), under the leadership of Minister LIM Sang-seop, invited 21 forestry officials from nine Asian countries, including Lao PDR, for an eight-day training program to share Korea’s best practices in national reforestation.

The forestry officials from Lao PDR, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Timor-Leste, and Kazakhstan visited various KFS institutions, including the Yongmun Nursery Center, the National Forest Fire Experiment Center, and specialized reforestation sites. They learned about key areas of forest restoration, including seed collection, nursery cultivation, afforestation, and soil and erosion control.

After completing both field training and theoretical education, the participants engaged in discussions on how to adapt these learnings to their own countries’ policies, taking into account their unique circumstances, and shared their visions for the future.

A delegate from the Philippines expressed admiration for Korea's advanced forest fire management techniques and equipment, while a delegate from Lao PDR mentioned that they would develop a plan to apply Korea's reforestation policies in their country, with the goal of increasing forest coverage to 70%.

Director General NAM Song Hee of the International Affairs Bureau stated at the closing ceremony, "This training program is significant as it shares Korea’s reforestation experience with the international community, thereby raising our global profile. Korea will continue to strengthen international forestry cooperation in the future."