Korea Forest Service Designates Namsan Pine Forest and Others as New 'National Forest Cultural Assets'

Seoul Namsan Pine Forest panorama. Provided by Korea Forest Service

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Ten locations, including the Seoul Namsan Pine Forest, have been newly designated as National Forest Cultural Assets this year.

On the 15th, the Korea Forest Service announced the designation of the following as National Forest Cultural Assets: ▲Seoul Namsan Pine Forest ▲Gimcheon Danjibong Larch Conservation Forest ▲Uljin Sogwang-ri Daewang Pine ▲Naju Geumseongsan Wild Tea Tree Colony ▲Gunsan Jangja Halmae Rock ▲Boseong Obongsan Gudeuljang Wagon Road ▲Boseong Obongsan Kalbawi Rock Buddha Statue ▲Bonghwa Seobyeok-ri Anti-Japanese Memorial Zelkova Tree ▲Pohang Yeongil Sabo Completion Monument ▲Imsil Bangsuri Jangjemu Forest.

The National Forest Cultural Assets have been designated since 2014 to discover and manage forest targets with high cultural value such as trees and natural objects. To date, a total of 80 sites have been designated as National Forest Cultural Assets.

The Korea Forest Service plans to selectively promote landmark projects from next year, including trail maintenance and convenience facilities, to widely publicize the value of National Forest Cultural Assets to the public.

In particular, there is a plan to restore and manage the Namsan Pine Forest, newly listed as a National Forest Cultural Asset this year, to regain its former appearance.

The Namsan Pine Forest gradually lost its original state due to deteriorating growth conditions during the Japanese colonial period. Accordingly, the Korea Forest Service intends to prepare and implement conservation measures in collaboration with academia, forestry experts, civic groups, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Choi Byung-am, Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, said, “As early as 1992, the United Nations presented the realization of the cultural and spiritual value of forests through the ‘Forest Principles Statement.’ We have historically had a culture and history deeply intertwined with mountains and forests, and the Korea Forest Service will focus its efforts on discovering and preserving the cultural value of forests.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.