Seoul City to Create 'Seoul Forest' in Forest Damage Areas of Donghae and Uljin Wildfires

Rapid Restoration of Devastated Forests

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Seoul City announced on the 18th that it will sign a "Seoul Metropolitan Government, Donghae City, and Uljin County Business Agreement" and initiate the creation of the "Seoul Forest" to promptly restore the devastated forests within the wildfire-affected areas of Donghae City and Uljin County. The areas affected by the wildfire are planned to be restored into forests with high ecological, scenic, and economic value through this business agreement.

In March of last year, wildfires destroyed 2,735 hectares in Donghae City and 14,140 hectares in Uljin County, which is five times larger. Notably, the wildfire in Uljin County became the largest and most damaging wildfire in the history of South Korea.

Accordingly, Seoul City aims to rapidly restore the devastated forests caused by the wildfire into thriving forests by signing a business agreement with Gangwon Province (providing land and maintenance) to seek a win-win cooperation plan.

The "Seoul Forest" will be selected from national and public forests urgently requiring scenic restoration in areas where residents live. Seoul City will support Donghae City and Uljin County with 250 million KRW each from the external cooperation fund to plant tree species suitable for the local environment.

Yoo Young-bong, Director of the Green City and Leisure Bureau, stated, "We will create the 'Seoul Forest' to replenish green forests in the wildfire-damaged areas of Donghae City and Uljin County from last year, enabling early restoration of the wildfire-affected sites." He added, "We hope that this win-win cooperation through the business agreement will bring comfort and vitality to the residents of Donghae City and Uljin County."