Sixth regional forest plan revision finalized, to be announced this month

Plan shifts focus to expanding carbon sinks and preventing forest disasters

Forest restoration on South Sea islands and income support for forestry workers also planned

South Gyeongsang Province holds the final briefing for its sixth regional forest plan revision. [South Gyeongsang Province]
South Gyeongsang Province holds the final briefing for its sixth regional forest plan revision. [South Gyeongsang Province]

South Gyeongsang Province has overhauled its long-term forest management plan through 2037, aligning it with a changing policy landscape shaped by the deepening climate crisis and advances in digital technology. The plan centers on expanding forests' carbon absorption capacity and building a forest disaster response system powered by AI and big data.

The province confirmed the revision to its sixth regional forest plan on Wednesday. The update was drawn up to strengthen alignment with the Korea Forest Service's revised national forest master plan from last year and to reflect shifting conditions in forest policy.

The province held a final briefing at the Jinju West Government Complex on June 1, incorporating feedback from earlier sessions and additional revisions. The updated plan will be officially announced this month before being submitted to the Korea Forest Service.

Under the vision of "a prosperous South Gyeongnam opened by forests," the province will carry out 10 strategic initiatives covering carbon neutrality, forest disaster response, forest ecosystem conservation, forest welfare expansion and strengthening the competitiveness of the forestry industry.

The province will expand carbon sinks through systematic forest development and management while building a forest ecosystem resilient to climate change. For the three major forest disasters — wildfires, landslides and pine wilt disease — it will apply a prevention-focused, round-the-clock integrated response system.

The province also plans to build a "smart forest spatial digital platform" integrating AI and big data to enable early prediction of potential disasters and strengthen on-site response. Consolidated information management will support rapid decision-making and initial emergency response.

The province will pursue projects to restore degraded forests on islands along the South Sea coast and enhance biodiversity. It also plans to expand green living corridors connecting mountain villages and urban areas, and to strengthen forest welfare services tailored to different life stages.

For forestry workers, the province will establish a stable income base through management support and improvements to the production and retail systems for forest products. The revised plan will serve as the foundational guideline for forest projects and related policy development across the province and its cities and counties.

"We will strengthen carbon neutrality efforts and forest disaster response so that residents can safely enjoy the benefits of forests," said Lee Jae-cheol, director of the province's environment and forestry bureau.


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