Korea Forest Service, Yeongdeok County, and Forestry Cooperative Promote 'Songyi Alternative Crop Consulting' for Wildfire-Affected Foresters

Joint Response for Income Recovery of Songyi-Affected Foresters
Initiating Support for Livelihood Restoration of Wildfire-Affected Foresters

On June 23, the Korea Forest Service, together with Yeongdeok County, the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute, the Yeongdeok County Forestry Cooperative (headed by Yang Seonghak), and other forestry experts, held a joint consulting session at the meeting room on the second floor of the Forest Products Distribution Center of the Yeongdeok County Forestry Cooperative.

Songyi alternative crop consulting. Provided by Yeongdeok County

This consulting session went beyond simply introducing alternative crops; it was designed as a customized, comprehensive counseling program to support practical crop transition and income recovery.

The consulting covered the following topics: preparation procedures and requirements for the Songyi alternative crop establishment project; cultivation characteristics and marketability of each short-term forest product; and detailed explanations of various financial and technical support policies.

The main alternative crops proposed were short-term income-generating forest products such as wild greens (including Gomchwi, Deodeok, and Chamnamul), shiitake mushrooms, and Sanghwang mushrooms. On-site analyses were also conducted, taking into account climate, soil, and market accessibility.

In particular, Songyi is a wild forest product with a strong natural occurrence and is difficult to cultivate artificially. Because it is not easily restored after wildfire damage, it can take several years to several decades to regenerate. For this reason, the alternative crop establishment project is being recognized as a very practical and urgent solution for foresters. In fact, the damage to Songyi natural forests caused by the recent wildfire in Yeongdeok is estimated to cover several tens of hectares, and a significant number of harvesting foresters have suffered direct losses to their livelihoods.

The implementation of this project is not a one-time support measure, but aims for the long-term recovery of forestry infrastructure and the stabilization of foresters' livelihoods. To this end, the Korea Forest Service has secured a total budget of 5.9 billion won through the 2025 supplementary budget, and plans to focus on providing establishment costs and technical guidance to the affected areas.

Kim Yongjin, Director of the Private Forest Income Division at the Korea Forest Service, stated, "Since it takes a long time to restore Songyi natural forests, finding realistic alternatives is urgent," and added, "Through this project, we will continue to provide tailored support so that foresters who have lost their livelihoods can quickly secure new sources of income."

In fact, the damage to Songyi natural forests caused by the recent wildfire in Yeongdeok is estimated to cover several tens of hectares, and a significant number of harvesting foresters have suffered direct losses to their livelihoods.

Especially since Songyi has a strong natural occurrence, restoration after damage can take several years to several decades. For this reason, this project is drawing attention as a practical solution to fill the gap.

Regarding this, Yang Seonghak, head of the Yeongdeok County Forestry Cooperative, said, "Many cooperative members and local foresters who depended on Songyi for their livelihoods have suffered serious damage due to this wildfire," and continued, "While seeking financial support measures, we will strengthen cooperation with the Korea Forest Service and local governments to ease the burden of establishment costs and introduce effective alternative crops." He also added, "We plan to focus on the removal of damaged trees from burned forests and on urgent erosion control projects to prevent future landslides."

This joint consulting session will be held sequentially in other wildfire-affected areas, including Andong and Cheongsong, from June 23 to 26, starting in Yeongdeok County, and is expected to expand with region-specific responses. Local foresters also expressed hope, saying, "The support from the Korea Forest Service and the cooperative feels like much-needed rain," and that they look forward to tangible recovery through concrete project implementation.