The UN Recognizes Uljin Forest Fire Restoration as a World Restoration Flagship
- Systematic Restoration Efforts by the Korea Forest Service Highly Acknowledged at the 2nd World Restoration Flagships -

The Korea Forest Service (KFS), led by Minister KIM In-ho, announced on the 16th that the forest ecological restoration project in the Uljin forest fire?affected area has been selected as a flagship of forest restoration at the 2nd World Restoration Flagships, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Launched in 2022 as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021?2030)?a global initiative proclaimed by the UN in 2019?the World Restoration Flagships aims to accelerate global participation and action in ecosystem restoration. Among more than 200 restoration cases worldwide, only 10 were selected as best practices, with the Uljin forest fire restoration project being the sole case from Korea, drawing significant international attention.

On 15 October (local time) in Rome, Italy, during the FAO’s 80th Anniversary Event, four outstanding cases were awarded, including forest restoration following forest fires (Korea Forest Service, cooperative grazing land restoration (Jordan’s Ministry of Environment), bamboo restoration in the Southern Hemisphere (International Bamboo and Rattan Organization and nine other countries), and Global Restoration Initiative (IUCN and nine partner countries).

The Ul-jin restoration project was particularly recognized for its systematic and science-based approach to restoring protected forest areas into ecologically healthy ecosystems, highlighted by citizen participation in governance, sound decision-making supported by law and policy, and a Native Plant Supply Center providing restoration materials.

Meanwhile, the KFS has been implementing a five-year forest ecosystem restoration project (2023?2027) covering 1,013 hectares of protected land in Uljin damaged by the large-scale forest fire that occurred in March 2022. Upon completion, a ten-year monitoring phase will follow to assess ecological resilience and ensure long-term recovery.

KIM In-ho, Minister of the Korea Forest Service, stated that “It is deeply meaningful that the forest ecosystem restoration efforts in the Uljin protected area have gained international recognition. The Korea Forest Service will continue to enhance biodiversity and strengthen climate change responses through forest ecological restoration, while sharing Korea’s forest restoration model with the global community.”