The Social Reform Committee, under the Prime Minister's Office, has proposed suspending forest maintenance and pine tree planting efforts as part of a new approach to wildfire prevention.
The Social Reform Committee of South Korea's Prime Minister's Office has suggested a radical shift in the government's forest and wildfire policies. The committee called for the suspension of forest maintenance and the planting of coniferous trees, particularly the popular pine trees, which have been linked to increased wildfire risks. This proposal has raised eyebrows as it contradicts the long-standing policies of the Korea Forest Service aimed at creating economic forests and preventing wildfires and landslides. The committee also emphasized the need to reassess the annual budget allocation, proposing that the approximately 600 billion KRW earmarked for forest maintenance be redirected to support landowners, forestry workers, and local firefighting efforts.
