Popularity of Natural Recreation Forests Rising 'ing'... Government "Considering Expansion Plans"

The number of visitors to natural recreation forests is increasing. Last year, statistics showed that 4 out of 10 citizens visited natural recreation forests. The government is considering plans to expand forest recreation facilities in response to the steadily growing demand for natural recreation forests.

Exterior view of the Forest House (accommodation facility) at the National Dareumsan Natural Recreation Forest. Provided by the Korea Forest Service.

According to the Korea Forest Service on the 5th, the total number of users of natural recreation forests last year was 19.98 million (including repeat users). This figure corresponds to about 40% of the total domestic population. Above all, the annual number of users of natural recreation forests has steadily increased from 19.10 million in 2022 to 19.24 million in 2023, and 19.98 million last year.

Currently, a total of 199 natural recreation forests are operated nationwide. By operating entity, there are 46 national, 129 public, and 24 private sites. Based on last year’s data, national natural recreation forests had 4.293 million users, public natural recreation forests had 15.139 million users, and private natural recreation forests had 547,000 users.

Among the national natural recreation forests, Jeolmul (Jeju), Yumyeongsan (Gyeonggi), and Daegwallyeong (Gangwon) natural recreation forests ranked high in user numbers. Among public natural recreation forests, Maninsan, Jangtaesan (Daejeon), Joryeongsan (Chungbuk), and Anmyeondo (Chungnam) natural recreation forests attracted many visitors.

The popularity of natural recreation forests is analyzed as a combined effect of increased family outings seeking leisure time relaxation and activities, lower usage fees (for national and public facilities) compared to other leisure-type accommodations, and advantages such as forest experience and forest healing programs operated at each recreation forest.

The high public interest in natural recreation forests was also confirmed through surveys. In the ‘2023 Forest Recreation and Welfare Activity Survey’ conducted by the Korea Forest Service from May to June last year targeting 10,000 citizens (5,000 households) residing in 17 cities and provinces nationwide, 94% of respondents answered that they were aware of natural recreation forests. Additionally, 57% of respondents expressed their intention to use natural recreation forests in the future.

Separately, in the ‘National Survey on Natural Recreation Forests’ conducted from May to September last year targeting 1,500 recreation forest users, 73% of all respondents answered that ‘additional creation of natural recreation forests is necessary.’ This reflects the voice that expansion of related facilities should be carried out alongside the increasing number of citizens wanting to use natural recreation forests every year.

Song Junho, Director of the Forest Welfare Bureau at the Korea Forest Service, said, “The first national natural recreation forest was established in 1989 at Daegwallyeong Natural Recreation Forest, and since then, 1 to 2 national natural recreation forests have been added annually.” He added, “The Korea Forest Service will strive to expand and improve recreation facilities to meet the continuously increasing demand for natural recreation forests.”

Expectant parents (including pregnant women) visiting 'Sanum Natural Recreation Forest' are participating in a forest prenatal education program. Photo by Korea Forest Service

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