Korea Forest Service: "Timber from Gyeongbuk Wildfire to Be Used for Timber Construction"

The Korea Forest Service announced on July 14 that timber damaged by wildfires in the Gyeongbuk region can now be used for public-sector timber construction projects.

Damaged timber harvested from the wildfire-affected area in Gyeongbuk is stockpiled. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

The decision to utilize wildfire-damaged timber in timber construction projects was reached after a joint public-private working group was formed and held discussions. Participants included Gyeongbuk Province, Gwangju City, Chungju City, Jecheon City, Yeongyang County, the Wood Culture Promotion Association, and the Korea Domestic Timber Cooperative.

The agreement stipulates that pine and other timber from the Gyeongbuk wildfire area, which are suitable for construction use, will be processed into lumber. This lumber will be used in public-sector timber construction projects, such as the National Wood Culture Experience Center in Seoul, the Timber Education Center in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, the Wood Culture Center in Chungju, Chungbuk Province, and the Woraksan Tourist Information Center in Jecheon, Chungbuk Province.

Initially, the wildfire-damaged timber will be processed by the Korea Domestic Timber Cooperative and is scheduled to be used, starting next year with support from the Korea Forest Service, in the construction of the Gyeongsang Timber Resource Center currently being established in Pohang, Gyeongbuk.

Park Eunsik, Director General of Forest Industry Policy at the Korea Forest Service, stated, "We will promptly carry out hazardous tree removal projects to restore areas affected by large-scale wildfires into lush forests once again." He added, "The Korea Forest Service will continue to work together with private companies and local governments to enhance the resource value of wildfire-damaged timber."