Seoul Jung-gu Council Launches Research Project for 'Namsan Forest Preservation Study Group'

Research Kick-off Meeting Held for ‘Namsan Forest Restoration Research Group’ of Seoul Jung-gu Council

Yoon Pan-oh Vice Chairman, Jo Mi-jung Chairwoman, Gil Ki-young Chairman, Kakato Cooperative CEO Kim Yong-ho, Song Jae-chun Chairman, Lee Jung-mi Chairwoman (from left) members of the Jung-gu Council Namsan Forest Preservation Research Group are holding a kickoff briefing for the research project and taking a commemorative photo.

The ‘Namsan Forest Restoration Research Group’ (Chairman Song Jaecheon), a research group of Seoul Jung-gu Council members, held a kick-off meeting for the ‘Resident Participation-type Namsan Forest Creation and Management Plan Research Project’ on June 1st at the Office of the Chair of the Administration and Health Committee.

At the kick-off meeting, Chairman Song Jaecheon of the Administration and Health Committee, who is also the head of the ‘Namsan Forest Restoration Research Group,’ along with Chairman Gil Giyeong, Vice Chairman Yoon Pano, Chair of the Operations Committee Lee Jeongmi, and Chair of the Welfare and Construction Committee Jo Mijeong attended. They exchanged opinions with Kim Yongho, CEO of Kakato Cooperative, which was commissioned for the research project, regarding the future direction of the research and the content and scope of the tasks.

The Namsan Forest Restoration Research Group was established with the purpose of ‘Green Forest, Clear Sky, Healthy Jung-gu’ to study ecological changes in the Namsan forest due to urban environmental changes and to explore various response strategies to realize a Namsan forest that residents can truly experience.

Kakato Cooperative, commissioned for the ‘Resident Participation-type Namsan Forest Creation and Management Plan Research Project,’ plans to analyze the current ecological status of Namsan forest, investigate similar resident-participation forest management projects, propose management plans necessary for the creation of Namsan forest and the enhancement of Namsan biodiversity, and derive ways for residents to lead the creation of Namsan forest. Additionally, they will conduct resident-participation policy forums to seek practical measures for ecosystem conservation not only from experts but also from local residents, aiming to increase resident empathy and tangible experience throughout the research process.

The research period will start with the kick-off meeting in June and conclude in October, lasting a total of five months.

Song Jaecheon, Chairman of the Namsan Forest Restoration Research Group, stated, “I hope this research project will effectively derive ways for local residents to actively participate in the sustainable preservation of Namsan, which holds excellent ecological value, and contribute to making our Jung-gu a city that wisely copes with the climate crisis era and gains the empathy of all.”

Chairman Gil Giyeong said, “The research group should not be limited to formal research but must produce practical and substantial results. In this research project, the active participation of residents living in the area is expected to be a meaningful opportunity to build consensus on the research outcomes,” expressing his thoughts.