[2025 Audit] Quantitative Growth Overshadows Safety... Forest Road Construction Lacks Proper Safety Measures

There are concerns that forest roads, due to poor construction and structural deficiencies, are becoming factors that increase landslide vulnerability, contrary to their original purpose. It is also argued that, despite the increase in the budget related to forest roads, shortcomings in safe construction have not been addressed.

Survey data of forest roads constructed from 2015 to 2024. Provided by Assemblyman Eo Gi-gu's office (Source: Korea Forest Service)

According to data submitted by Assemblyman Eo Gigu, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee (Democratic Party, Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province), the Korea Forest Service has constructed a total of 26,784 kilometers of forest roads nationwide as of October 20, 2025. The agency plans to expand the total length to 34,990 kilometers by 2030.

In line with the expansion plan for forest roads, the related budget increased by 118%, from 176.5 billion won in 2021 to 384.8 billion won this year.

However, despite the increased budget, the stability of these facilities remains insufficient due to poor construction and structural deficiencies. The quantitative growth of forest roads is not being matched by improvements in safety.

In fact, according to the Korea National Park Service under the Ministry of Environment, out of approximately 9,600 landslides nationwide over the past 10 years, 1,447 cases (15%) originated from forest roads or their vicinity.

The Korea Forest Service’s own inspections revealed structural defects in 105 kilometers of embankment slopes, out of the 7,677 kilometers of forest roads constructed over the past 10 years, where essential safety facilities such as retaining walls and stone embankments were not installed.

Additionally, of the 1,037 kilometers of steep slopes with gradients of 35 degrees or more, 101 kilometers (9.7%) were cut slopes that lacked proper reinforcement and require additional safety measures. Among the 349.6 kilometers of sections with gradients of 14% or more, 72 kilometers (20%) were found to be unpaved and in need of reinforcement.

Assemblyman Eo stated, "Forest roads are essential infrastructure for wildfire response and forest management, but poor construction and lack of management can trigger landslides. The Korea Forest Service should not focus solely on expanding the network of forest roads, but should also strengthen design standards and improve post-construction management systems to ensure their safety."