A recent report from Korea’s National Park Service indicates that there are 659 mountain goats inhabiting seven national parks across the country, as of the end of 2025. Among these parks, Seoraksan National Park holds the largest population with 212 mountain goats, followed by Wolaksan with 192, Odaesan with 98, and several others showing smaller numbers. These goats are classified as a critically endangered species and are recognized as natural monuments, living typically in steep and rugged mountainous areas.

The report also highlights that both Seoraksan and Wolaksan have been designated as having ‘minimum viable populations,’ meaning that their populations have sufficient genetic diversity to avoid issues associated with inbreeding. Historical evidence shows that groups of large horned goats in America that fell below 50 members have faced significant extinction risks, while groups with over 100 individuals have thrived for over 70 years. Since 2007, the National Park Service has been facilitating the introduction of mountain goats into key parks to bolster their populations.

Efforts have been taken to monitor these populations using over 300 cameras set up in the national parks, with notable accuracy achieved through identifying individuals based on unique physical traits. However, it remains unclear how many mountain goats exist outside of national parks, as current surveys only assess population density rather than total numbers. Ongoing research is being conducted by environmental authorities, focusing on habitat surveys from 2021 to 2026, aimed at understanding the broader distribution and condition of mountain goats throughout South Korea.