Selected as Korea Forest Service's Top 10 News Including 'Introduction of Forestry and Forest Direct Payment System'

A panoramic view of the bamboo forest at Damyang Juknokwon, designated as a National Forest Cultural Asset. Photo is unrelated to the article. Provided by the Korea Forest Service.

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Korea Forest Service has selected and announced the top 10 news stories of the year, including the introduction of the forestry and forest public interest direct payment system.

According to the Korea Forest Service on the 27th, the top 10 news stories are determined annually by collecting press releases distributed by the Forest Service that year and selecting them through votes by the public, journalists, and employees.

This year, a total of 444 items were listed for voting. Among them, the news that attracted the most attention was that the long-awaited forestry and forest public interest direct payment system for forestry workers passed the National Assembly.

In the forestry field, this is significant as activities of managing forests and running forestry businesses under difficult conditions are recognized as contributing to the public interest.

Also, a mechanism has been established to receive compensation for the public interest contributions made through forestry management, which is expected to prevent cases of giving up forestry and maintain the forest's inherent functions.

The top 10 news also included the enforcement of the "Urban Forest Act," which provides a basis for expanding forest welfare spaces throughout urban areas; designation of national forest trails such as Jirisan Dulle-gil (4 locations); revision of forest sector carbon neutrality strategies through the carbon neutrality public-private council; expansion of forest healing support for citizens exhausted by COVID-19; participation in the Glasgow summit declaration, establishing Korea as a global leader in forest restoration; introduction of the "Forestry Worker Voucher" to support forestry workers overcoming COVID-19; and the commencement of restoration work on the Gariwangsan alpine stadium delayed since the Winter Olympics.

Among these, the forest-related news that attracted the most public attention was the "Designation of National Forest Trails such as Jirisan Dulle-gil and Baekdudaegan Trail."

This news is interpreted to have gained increased interest due to the natural shift of attention to forest trail policies as outdoor activities were restricted by COVID-19.

Also, the news most noted by Korea Forest Service employees and journalists was undoubtedly the "Introduction and Implementation of the Forestry and Forest Public Interest Direct Payment System."

Jeong Cheol-ho, spokesperson for the Korea Forest Service, said, "This year, public interest in the Korea Forest Service was higher than ever due to controversies such as logging," and added, "The Forest Service will continue to strive to meet public demands and achieve policy innovations that satisfy the public in the coming new year."

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