[Insight & Opinion] Gangwon-do, Ignite the Wave of Timber Architecture

When the Yangganjipung (襄杆之風, a strong wind that blows rapidly between Yangyang-gun and Goseong-gun in Gangwon-do during spring) blows fiercely around this time, large forest fires often occur in the mountainous areas of Gangwon-do, causing many evacuees and evoking nationwide sorrow.

Before attracting advanced industries such as bio and semiconductors, Gangwon-do must find a way to properly utilize its forests, which make up most of the province, through forest management.

As Gangwon-do pursues becoming a special self-governing province, it should establish a system to manage the national forests, which occupy most of Gangwon-do’s land, through collaboration with the central government. While other regions have about 20% national forest coverage, Gangwon-do has as much as 50%, so it is not a matter to leave solely to the Korea Forest Service.

First, the forest products produced in the forests should be upgraded in quality and their economic value increased through the advancement of distribution systems. In this process, jobs can be created through forestry, which can also respond to population decline. Instead of encouraging childbirth for those leaving mountain villages, people should be attracted by creating jobs from outside. Systematic forest management must be carried out from planting to logging. Construction of forest roads and thinning can not only respond efficiently to forest fires but also achieve production efficiency.

A more proactive way to produce and utilize timber is to make Gangwon-do the mecca of the timber industry. To this end, I would like to encourage the promotion of timber architecture. Starting with the new Gangwon-do government building, public buildings should be constructed using timber architecture, and support projects should be implemented to guide general housing to use light wood frame structures instead of reinforced concrete.

There are many misunderstandings about timber architecture. Claims such as higher construction costs, timber being unsuitable for large buildings, or being more vulnerable to fire and earthquakes are not true. The tallest timber buildings in Korea are 5 stories and 19 meters high, while in the U.S., they reach up to 25 stories and 86 meters. Japan and the U.S. are planning super high-rise timber buildings of 70 and 80 stories, respectively.

Timber architecture has many advantages. Construction periods are shorter, and due to ease of construction, building costs are lower, allowing more effective use of space. It has excellent insulation effects and is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gases by using timber, which acts as a carbon storage. Various studies and experiments show that timber buildings are actually stronger against fire and earthquakes.

If Gangwon-do sparks a wave of timber architecture, it will be the most efficient solution to many problems facing the province. A regional-based organic ecosystem covering the entire process of forest management, timber architecture education, timber production, and construction must be created. First, a specialized timber architecture education institution should be established. Then, a timber processing industry can be developed. Not only simple sawing but also facilities for producing laminated wood panels will be necessary. Fostering specialized timber architecture companies is also needed. Leading timber architecture will naturally bring about this entire process. I hope that not only Gangwon-do but also Korea as a whole will be reborn as the mecca of timber architecture.

Gangwon-do should not only focus on advanced industries but also create industries based on its forests to solve regional issues. The development of new industries can revitalize the local economy and create a tremendous number of jobs. Naturally, this will also alleviate the population decline crisis in Gangwon-do.

Attracting advanced industries like semiconductors without considering manpower supply, power supply, water supply, and corporate preferences is unrealistic.

Kim Hongjin, CEO of Work Innovation Lab