Foreigners visiting South Korea are often surprised to find mountains that are filled with green trees in all corners of the country. However, most young Koreans are not aware that their parents and the government worked hard to restore those trees and forests. Youngsters think that these dense forests and abundant trees have always been a part of Korea.

Back in the 1950-1970s, mountains in Korea were rather treeless. About one third of the nation’s forests were devastated, so rain often led to cascades of muddy water sweeping away people’s lives and property. Damage in the agricultural and related industries was immense. 


From 1973 to 1987 the Korean government initiated two extensive rounds of reforestation, through which Korea transformed into a lush green, forested nation. The success was a result of strong leadership, meticulous government planning, active citizen participation, and international help.

Korea is recognized by the international community as the sole country that has overcome economic hardships all the while completing reforestation within a short span of 20 years. International organizations, including the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization, tout Korea as a success model for reforestation, and many developing countries are lined up to learn Korea’s reforestation expertise.

At the 21st U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, held last December, countries concluded a new agreement that highlights the importance of forests as a means to absorb carbon dioxide. The consensus also emphasizes the need to protect and develop forests, while calling for countries to work hand in hand to prevent deforestation in developing countries. Thus, protecting and restoring forests and biodiversity are at the top of the agenda for all countries. Consequently, Korea’s successful reforestation story is more attractive than ever in the eyes of developing countries, which are eager to learn through bilateral or multilateral cooperation.

In response, the Korean government is actively backing support and signing partnership deals. Pushing forward various projects, as of July 2016, the Korean government is engaged in bilateral partnerships with 31 countries. Projects are in action in Mongolia, China, Myanmar, Cambodia, and so on in efforts to prevent deforestation. Take Mongolia for instance, over the course of 10 years, Korea and Mongolia together transformed some 3 thousand hectares of devastated land around the Gobi Desert into a forest. The Mongolian government says it is looking forward to expanding the project.

In addition, Korea is sharing its skills in reforestation through the U.N.’s multilateral cooperation organization. In collaboration with U.N.’s Convention to Combat Desertification, Korea is undergoing reforestation projects in 10 countries including Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia, and Ecuador. Furthermore together with the Inter-governmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, operating under the U.N., Korea is working to restore ecological landscape in South American countries such as Guatemala, Chile, Colombia, and so on.

Preparing for the implementation of the Paris Agreement, Korea is putting together model projects to prevent deforestation in Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and four other Southeast Asian nations. In efforts to strengthen cooperation with Asian nations, Korea plans to stretch the current ASEAN-Korea Forest Cooperation Organization to Asian Forest Cooperation Organization.

On top of Korea’s drive to spread traditional Korean gardens, otherwise known as the K-garden business, it is mapping out projects to create urban forests in capital cities of related countries. Last April, a traditional Korean garden opened in Antalya, Turkey, and more urban forests are on their way in Astana, Kazakhstan, and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Korea aims to expand cooperation with developing countries that request partnership regarding reforestation, preventing deforestation and combating climate change, especially with African and Latin American countries at the governmental level. Korea perceives lending a helping hand to developing countries as its duty, just as it received help back when it was struggling. “Hongik Ingan” (humanitarianism) lies at the heart of Koreans so reaching out to developing countries is a way of practicing the spirit of humanitarianism.

By Kim Yong-ha, Deputy minister for Korea Forest Service