A new national arboretum will be completed next year in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province. It will be the largest alpine botanical garden in Asia.

The Korea Forest Service is pinning hopes on the new Baekgu-Daegan National Arboretum, as it is being constructed environment-friendly and it is expected to be a place where people can enjoy hands-on experiences related to the ecosystem. The Korea Herald interviewed Korea Forest Service Minister Shin Won-sop about the new arboretum.

Q: Why has the government pushed for the Baekdu-Daegan National Arboretum and Botanical Garden?

A: As part of a government-driven project, we have been pushing ahead in securing and preserving forest resources that are vulnerable to climate change. Since the (U.N.) Convention on Biological Diversity has taken effect, we have worked on coming up with a well-organized system in order to preserve forest resources. We have been trying to suggest an ideal model for balanced national land development linked with regional development as well as forest resources utilization. 

Q: What are the vision and mission of the Baekdu-Daegan National Arboretum?

A: The Baekdu-Daegan National Arboretum has a vision of creating the best arboretum in Asia, in terms of preserving and utilizing living things in the Baekdu-Daegan, and we hope to create a place where people can enjoy and learn about biodiversity while visiting the arboretum.

Q: How is the construction of the new arboretum progressing?

A: In September 2008, the government selected the ecosystem- and tourism-based project. The basic plan was implemented in June 2010, after the Finance Ministry approved the Korea Forest Service’s budget for the project.

In November 2012, we completed details related to construction of the new arboretum, such as finalization of its design, evaluating its environmental impact and acquiring the land. The construction is scheduled to be finished by June 2014. At present, the arboretum construction is almost 30 percent complete.

Q: What is the importance of the Bonghwa region in terms of ecosystem?

A: The Baekdu-Daegan is an ecological axis ranging from Mount Baekdusan, through Mount Geumgangsan and Mount Seoraksan and all the way to Mount Jirisan. Especially, Bonghwa, where the Baekdu-Daegan National Arboretum will be created, is the very core of the ecological axis of the Korean Peninsula and the ridgeline of the Baekdu-Daegan passes through here. It also has abundant forest resources.

Q: Does the new arboretum have significance in terms of preventing climate change and global warming?

A: Now, we see the changes followed by climate change as well as the loss of biodiversity caused by habitat loss everywhere in the world. Since the Convention on Biological Diversity took effect, the effective use of plant resources has become a key issue for most countries in terms of securing valuable resources. Therefore, we expect to see an increase in importance of creating the Baekdu-Daegan National Arboretum in preparing for the international supply and demand.

Q: What is the role of the Baekdu-Daegan National Arboretum?

A: With the Baekdu-Daegan National Arboretum, we can preserve and control our forest resources under an organized system, not only securing biodiversity in forest ecosystems but also benefiting the regional economy by engaging the tourist industry.

Q: By what measures can you turn the Baekdu-Daegan National Arboretum into a specialist institution?

A: We are trying to make an environment-friendly arboretum without damaging the current land and other facilities; this is why we created the arboretum on damaged farms, ranches and arable land.

We plan to establish the Alpine House in order to preserve alpine plants threatened by climate change and a seed vault to collect and permanently store various forest seeds from other countries as well.

Q: What is the role and vision of Korea Forest Service in connection with the arboretum establishment?

A: We are doing research not only in seeking ways to preserve, restore and proliferate naturally grown forest resources but also in taking a role to give vitality to the regional economy. We work on diversifying our programs in order to provide quality services as our people want. Furthermore, we will make the arboretum a place where people can enjoy hands-on experiences while creating eco-driven value.

By Lee Kwon-hyung (kwonhl@heraldcorp.com)

Intern reporter Choi In-jeong contributed to this report.