[Reporter’s Notebook] Is This Just Empty Forest Policy Rhetoric, or Is It Geochang County’s Real Future Strategy?

Photo by Choi Sunkyung, Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters

Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province has put forth the vision of "Opening the Future with Forests," aiming to achieve the three goals of tourism, climate, and economy. The slogan sounds appealing.

However, looking back at the administration's track record, there are concerns that this declaration may end up as just another policy slogan. Forests are not just promotional phrases; if they collapse, they are irreplaceable public assets.

In this era of climate crisis, the value of forests goes without saying. They absorb carbon, mitigate disasters, and serve as the last line of defense for ecosystems.

Nevertheless, the moment forests are forced to fit into the logic of tourism and economy, they easily become targets for development rather than protection. Cases of indiscriminate development under the name of "utilization" have already been witnessed throughout the country. Is Geochang County confident it will not repeat this history of failure?

The same applies to tourism. Building large-scale facilities and attracting crowds is not forest tourism. Discussing tourism revenue after damaging the forest is illogical.

True forest tourism increases in value the less the forest is disturbed. It is crucial to critically assess whether Geochang County's plan embodies this philosophy, or if it is simply another variation of infrastructure-focused administration.

The justification of revitalizing the local economy cannot serve as a free pass. If the profits from forest projects are concentrated in outside companies while local residents are left with only noise and destruction, this is not development but exploitation. A forest economy without resident participation and local reinvestment will only breed conflict and distrust.

If Geochang County truly wants to achieve all three goals, the answer is clear.

First, prioritize conservation over development. Second, immediately exclude showpiece projects aimed only at visible results. Third, make residents the main agents throughout the entire forest policy process. A "forest future strategy" lacking these three elements is nothing more than an empty declaration.

Once a forest is destroyed, it cannot be restored within an administrative term. The choices made by Geochang County will not be judged by immediate results, but by how they are evaluated decades from now.

Now, Geochang County must demonstrate responsible governance in front of the forest, not with words but with action.