[Manbo Jeongdam] Nam Seonghyeon, Korea Forest Service Chief: "Forests Also Face Low Birthrate and Aging... Positive Cycle Needed Through Generational Change"

‘41 Years on a Single Path’ Starting as Grade 7 to Become Forest Service Chief
Nicknamed ‘Nam Napoleon’... Recognized as a Master of Forest Administration
Forest Disasters Are Inevitable, but Damage Must Be Minimized
“A Forest in Its Original Form Is Not Necessarily a Healthy Forest”

"Our forests are also experiencing 'low birthrate and aging.' On the surface, they may appear lush, but in reality, the trees are struggling to breathe. The process of thinning is important to ensure an even distribution of young trees, growing trees, and fully grown trees. The thinned trees are then used as timber resources."

Nam Seong-hyun, the Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, explained, "Trees also age," adding, "They grow, but the period of intensive growth is fixed." He continued, "Harvesting is the method to achieve generational replacement between trees passing through their youth and old age and young trees. Although the growth period varies by species, most trees planted in Korea grow vigorously for about 20 to 30 years." The reason he emphasized the importance of harvesting along with tree planting is his belief that maintaining forest health and creating a virtuous cycle in forest management are essential.

On the 14th, I met Nam Seong-hyun, the Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, at 'Geumgang Arboretum' located in Geumnam-myeon, Sejong. Commissioner Nam showed an unusually bright expression in the forest compared to usual. Photo by Korea Forest Service

On the 14th, when the greenery had deepened, I met Commissioner Nam at Geumgang Arboretum located by the Geum River in Sejong City. Here, it was easy to see families or groups resting in the forest or walking barefoot on the red clay paths. Their expressions, harmonized with nature, showed a great sense of relaxation. Perhaps it was because we met in a dense forest away from concrete buildings that a smile continuously lingered on Commissioner Nam's lips. Usually, he says, "I have a smiling face," but his expression that day was particularly bright and calm, as if someone had just put down a heavy burden.

Commissioner Nam is nicknamed 'Namoleon' by his staff. Despite his small stature and seemingly gentle appearance, he is known for his firm beliefs and strong drive in his work, which earned him this nickname. He embodies the typical trait of being gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. He speaks without hesitation and is bold when discussing matters he believes in. This confidence comes from over 40 years of experience in the forestry sector. We discussed issues related to the health of domestic forests turning into 'low birthrate and aging' forests, forest disasters, harvesting, forest roads, and other forestry challenges.

After being scolded by a middle-aged woman for walking on the yellow soil path wearing shoes, Nam Seong-hyeon, the head of the Korea Forest Service, took off his shoes and is walking barefoot on the yellow soil path. Photo by Korea Forest Service

- You have the nickname 'Namoleon.' How did you get it?

▲ The nickname 'Namoleon' was given after I took office as Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service. I believe it reflects my strong beliefs, passion, and drive despite my small stature. I started my public service career as a Grade 7 official during the tenure of the 3rd Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service in 1978 and was appointed as the 34th Commissioner in May 2022 with the current government. Except for a brief period of about five years when I left public service to teach at a university, I have been involved in forestry for 41 years. The diverse key positions I held at the Korea Forest Service have contributed to shaping the 'Namoleon' you know today. Particularly, my experience as Director of the Forest Science Institute gave me the confidence to engage in conversations both inside and outside the Korea Forest Service without hesitation.

- You started as a Grade 7 public official and rose to Commissioner. You must have many things you want to accomplish.

▲ When I was contacted as a candidate for Commissioner, the first thing I did was write my inauguration speech. At home, I was teased for preparing for something that hadn't happened yet. But if I didn't get the position, I could simply press the 'DEL' (delete) button. The outcome (appointment) was a matter for later. If appointed, I wanted to share the speech I wrote myself with the staff. That is why I carefully wrote and revised every line from the first to the last. The term 'Forest Renaissance,' which the Korea Forest Service advocates, was one of the phrases I came up with after much thought. When I became Commissioner, I resolved to properly understand global issues and mega-trends and to help Korea become a wealthy country through forestry. It is 'no secret' that I did not look at the inauguration speech handed to me by the Planning and Coordination Officer when I took office. (laughs)

- In the past, the Korea Forest Service focused on tree planting. What should be the focus now?

▲ Korea dressed its barren forests in green during the reforestation projects of the 1970s and 1980s. At that time, making forests dense was the top priority, and the Korea Forest Service successfully completed the reforestation projects as the main agency. Now, it is time not only to plant and nurture forests but also to conserve and utilize them. In this context, the Korea Forest Service has the responsibility to ensure that the public equally enjoys forest welfare and to revitalize the forest industry so that the nation can prosper. Maintaining healthy forests while effectively responding to climate change is also a role of the Korea Forest Service. Above all, the Korea Forest Service feels a heavy responsibility to protect the lives and property of the public from increasingly frequent forest disasters caused by external factors such as climate change.

- Forest fires occur in spring, and landslides frequently happen during floods. What is the outlook for this year?

▲ As of the 15th of this month, 175 forest fires have occurred this spring, damaging 58 hectares of forest. This is a 58% decrease in the number of fires and a 98% decrease in the area affected compared to the 10-year average (416 fires, 3,865 hectares). This is thanks to more frequent rainfall than usual and the efforts of the government and the public to prevent forest fires. The scale of forest fire damage this year is the second smallest on record since statistics began. However, unlike the past when forest fires were frequent from February to May, recent trends show that forest fires occur year-round and are becoming larger, so vigilance must never be relaxed. Disasters have no full stop; they can happen anytime and anywhere. Moreover, heavy rainfall is expected this year, increasing concerns about landslides. Minimizing landslide damage during the rainy season, which starts around June and July, is crucial. While landslides cannot be completely prevented, the Korea Forest Service is determined to do everything possible to prevent loss of life from landslides.

Nam Seong-hyun, the Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, is emphasizing the importance of forests while holding a named tree at Geumgang Arboretum. Photo by Korea Forest Service

- The importance of forests in responding to climate change is highlighted.

▲ Forests are a major carbon sink recognized by the international community. In Korea, 63% of the land area is covered by forests. The goal is for forests to account for 11% of the '2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)' for greenhouse gas reduction. However, the annual carbon absorption by forests increased from 38.23 million tCO2 in the 1990s to 61.49 million tCO2 in 2008 but has decreased again to 40.40 million tCO2 in 2021. This is because the forests created during the reforestation projects have rapidly aged, casting a shadow of 'low birthrate and aging forests.' To increase annual carbon absorption again, it is urgent to create young and healthy forests through generational replacement to strengthen carbon absorption and storage capacity. To this end, the Korea Forest Service is working to improve the age structure of forests through sustainable forest resource management and to create new carbon sinks such as urban forests.

- Environmental groups oppose harvesting. What is your view?

▲ The international community's main principle for forest management is 'to conserve forests that must be preserved and to manage the rest sustainably for future generations.' If we divide by ratio, 30% of forests are for protection, and 70% are for management. This emphasizes the utilization of forest resources through forest management. The premise is 'sustainability.' It does not mean indiscriminate destruction of forests. Sustainable forest management involves a virtuous cycle of 'afforestation → forest tending → harvesting → afforestation.' There can be differences in perspective. For example, environmental groups tend to emphasize environment, nature, and public interest over economy, resources, and private interests. Conversely, sustainable forest management aims to harmonize both aspects by maintaining and managing forests sustainably. Rather than simply preserving forests in their original state, it promotes using forests as resources based on sustainability to revitalize the national and regional economy and increase income for forestry workers. The formula that a forest in its original state is a healthy forest does not hold true.

- Could you explain the necessity and positive functions of harvesting?

▲ Trees age. They grow, but the period of intensive growth is fixed. Harvesting is the method to achieve generational replacement between trees passing through their youth and old age and young trees. Although the growth period varies by species, most trees planted in Korea grow vigorously for about 20 to 30 years. In other words, trees planted during the reforestation projects have entered old age and currently grow slowly. This is why the term 'low birthrate and aging forests' is used. Harvesting contributes to maintaining forest health through generational replacement. When fully grown trees become dense, the forest may appear lush, but in reality, it struggles to breathe. The process of thinning is important to ensure an even distribution of young trees, growing trees, and fully grown trees. The thinned trees are then used as timber resources. Ultimately, harvesting is a part of maintaining forest health and a virtuous cycle in forest management.

- Timber is a representative resource obtained from forests. Although forests are dense, Korea's timber self-sufficiency rate is very low.

▲ Korea's timber self-sufficiency rate is 15%. Conversely, about 85% of the timber we use is imported. As of last year, timber imports amounted to 4.4 billion USD. Converted to Korean won, this means 6 trillion won was spent on timber imports. According to the Korea Forest Research Institute, as of 2021, Austria and New Zealand had 100% timber self-sufficiency, the United States 71%, Germany 53%, and Japan 41.8%. Compared to these countries, Korea's timber self-sufficiency rate is far behind. Reasons include relatively few species suitable for timber use, strong negative perceptions of harvesting making it difficult to harvest even the available trees, and a lack of infrastructure such as forest roads and machinery needed for harvesting, resulting in relatively high production costs compared to other countries. The Korea Forest Service is working to increase timber self-sufficiency by transforming forest structures to supply quality timber stably and expanding forest management infrastructure such as forest roads and forestry machinery to the level of advanced forestry countries. The long-term goal is to increase timber production, focusing on economic forests, and raise the timber self-sufficiency rate to 50%.

Interview by Jo Young-joo, Head of Sejong Jungbu Reporting Headquarters