‘Korean Afforestation Records’ Selected as Candidate for UNESCO Memory of the World Registration

The "Reforestation Records of the Republic of Korea" has been finally selected as a candidate for inscription on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

On the 10th, the Korea Forest Service announced that the reforestation records of our country passed the review by the Korean Committee for the Memory of the World the previous day.

Tree planting (afforestation) is underway on a bare mountain. Records of afforestation in the Republic of Korea. Provided by the Korea Forest Service.

Following the approval, the Korea Forest Service plans to submit the nomination dossier to UNESCO by November 30. The final decision on inscription will be made through the review of the UNESCO Executive Board in May 2025.

The forest records document the process of reforesting Korea’s devastated forests through cooperation between the public and private sectors, and will be exhibited and preserved at the National Sejong Arboretum’s 50th Anniversary Hall for National Reforestation to be established in the future.

Previously, on April 26, the reforestation records were conditionally approved at the Korean Committee for the Memory of the World meeting, citing the need for additional supporting materials.

In response, the Korea Forest Service formed a dedicated team with the Korea Forest Policy Research Association and the Korea Forest Engineering Association, and revised and supplemented the nomination dossier through multiple expert consultations.

Nam Sung-hyun, Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, said, “Our country succeeded in reforesting devastated forests through the united efforts of all citizens, leaving a rare success story globally. We will make every effort to ensure that these vivid records are inscribed as a UNESCO Memory of the World heritage and shine brightly.”

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