Assemblyman Min Hyung-bae Proposes Amendment to the Framework Act on Forests to Change Arbor Day Date

Reflecting Realities Like Global Warming... "Tree Planting Date Should Be Changed to March 20"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Min Hyung-bae, a member of the National Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea·Gwangju Gwangsan District), announced on the 5th that he has proposed a revision to the Framework Act on Forest that changes Arbor Day to March 20 to better align with the optimal tree growth period.

Arbor Day was designated as a legal holiday in 1946. With the introduction of the five-day workweek and the reduction of national holidays, Arbor Day was removed from the list of public holidays in 2006. Currently, Arbor Day is regulated not by law but by the Prime Minister’s directive, the “Regulations on Various Commemorative Days.”

The significance and status of Arbor Day have been gradually weakening. It has become difficult to learn about the importance of trees and the environment in educational settings as before, and tree-planting events held throughout society have also decreased.

Some argue that the date of Arbor Day is not appropriate. According to data analyzed by the National Institute of Forest Science since the mid-1990s, the most suitable temperature for planting trees is 6.5 degrees Celsius.

Due to global warming, the average daily temperature in Korea from February to April has risen, and by mid-March, the average daily temperature already exceeds 6.5 degrees Celsius. A recent survey showed that 8 out of 10 citizens agreed that the date of Arbor Day should be moved earlier.

The bill proposed by Assemblyman Min changes Arbor Day to March 20 and designates the week of Arbor Day as “Arbor Week,” aiming to secure public interest and actual time for tree planting through events even if Arbor Day is not a holiday.

Assemblyman Min said, “Increasing interest in Arbor Day is expected to contribute to responding to the climate crisis,” and added, “Not only should Arbor Day be moved earlier, but since there is strong public opinion that designating Arbor Day as a public holiday would enhance its effectiveness, the government should actively consider this designation.”

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