IUFRO chief lauds Korea's rehabilitated forests, advises on future management

Korea Herald

09-02-2025

From postwar desolation to reforestation excellence, South Korea has been planting seeds of a green future both in Korea and beyond.
Examining this transformative path is Daniela Kleinschmit, president of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations and chair of Forest and Environmental Policy at the University of Freiburg, Germany, who recently visited Seoul.
In an interview with The Korea Herald, Kleinschmit, as the head of a global network for forest science cooperation, examined Korea's forestry sector, focusing on its challenges and management strategies.
Her insights come at a crucial time, especially when the Korea Forest Service seeks to enhance and sustain its reforestation model. United by a vision of addressing forest-related challenges for the benefit of both nature and people, the two organizations are charting a common path forward.
Below is an excerpt of The Korea Herald's interview with Kleinschmit.
The Korea Herald: South Korea has achieved remarkable success in reforestation over the past 50 years. What are your thoughts on this accomplishment and what direction should Korea's forestry take moving forward?
Kleinschmit: The Republic of Korea can be considered a real success story in rehabilitating devastated landscapes, rebuilding forest ecosystems and related services such as soil and water conservation, erosion control, biodiversity enhancement, wildlife habitat and human recreation.
At the same time, Korea is depending on imports of wood and wood products to a large degree from other countries, such as Vietnam, to respond to the increasing national demand.
Following different global scenarios, the demand for wood will also increase in the next decades. This is fueled not only by a growing population but also by the understanding that using forest-based resources can reduce CO2 emissions when replacing fossil-based products. Depending on the sources of wood and the underlying standards for wood production, this might lead to over-utilization of forests and unsustainable practices of forest management.
Making sustainable use of forests for ecosystem services, including wood production, is therefore a way forward, not only to fulfill market demands and support a bio-based economy, but also to ensure wood supply from responsibly managed sources.
KH: Despite Korea only harvesting 20 percent of its annual forest growth, there's significant public resistance to timber harvesting. How does this compare to European practices and public sentiment?
Kleinschmit: As can be observed in many other industrialized countries, particularly among urban populations, the perception of forest management and wood production has become ever more critical.
This is despite the fact that the annual harvest of wood is well below yearly growth. The annual forest utilization rate in European forests is around 70 to 80 percent.
We have also recognized in European countries an increasing polarization when it comes the question on how to manage forests and whether using it for wood production is acceptable or not.
KH: How can we address the paradox where people appreciate wooden products but oppose tree harvesting?
Kleinschmit: We have been aware of this slaughterhouse syndrome -- being in favor of wood products but being against harvesting trees -- for a long time.
The solution is not trivial as it becomes obvious that increasing communication efforts are not always effective. Having said this, it is still a prerequisite of forest management to communicate with the diverse stakeholders about the needs for forest management, the sustainable use of forests and the measurements taken.
The discourse on a forest-based bioeconomy that has developed in the last decades is one way to foster understanding, in particular, as the bioeconomy concepts build on the idea that nonsustainable products linked to a high degree of emissions can be replaced by renewable resources like wood.
In European countries, this discourse has been very much facilitated by the public authorities at the EU level, the national level and subnational level. Instruments installed comprise informational tools -- such as dialogues, platforms, pedagogic (tools) and uni-directional communication products like brochures -- and economic instruments, providing financial support for innovative and optimized ways of using wood, while also taking into account small-scale forest owners who are partly lacking the intent to manage their forests.
KH: Forest road infrastructure remains a significant challenge for Korea's forest management. What would you say to those who oppose forest road development?
Kleinschmit: There is a huge discussion about the need and density of forest roads in European countries as well.
There seems to be a trade-off between the required density of forest roads for harvester access and the recreational use of forests.
This has been analyzed in several studies. One of the conclusions was the idea of a participatory forest road assessment approach. I am not aware whether this has been implemented, is feasible and will have the projected effect.
KH: Korea's forest ownership structure, dominated by small-scale owners, bears similarities to Germany's. Does Germany have policies in place to address these issues?
Kleinschmit: Austria and Germany implemented a concept of cooperatives, where small forest owners become members of and jointly manage their forests. This has supported small forest owners in their management. However, we still recognize that there are many owners that are not taking care of their forests and it is very hard to communicate with them.
National forest legislation requires making provisions for operating such cooperatives and would also include incentive systems for forest operations such as road construction, harvesting and rejuvenation of forests.
KH: Are there any potential collaboration opportunities between IUFRO and the Korea Forest Service that you'd like to explore?
Kleinschmit: In the framework of its Science-Policy Program, IUFRO carries out global and regional scientific assessments on issues of high political concern to equip decision-makers and stakeholders with solid knowledge.
The topic of the societal polarization between forest conservation and harvesting would be suitable for such an assessment. The outcomes of this scientific report would help base Korea's forest-use discussions on scientific expertise, evidence and rational arguments.
IUFRO would be happy to collaborate with the Korea Forest Service in this regard.
KH: As IUFRO president, this was your first official visit to Korea. What were your impressions?
Kleinschmit: My visit to Korea has been my first official visit to another country in my capacity as the President of IUFRO.
The visit has afforded me a unique opportunity to meet representatives from the Korean government, scientific community and international organizations, while givng me first-hand insights into Korea's current forest-related developments, outstanding accomplishments, as well as some challenges faced by the sector.