Korea’s Forests: From Preservation to Sustainable Utilization

Economic, Social, and Environmental Value through FSC Interim Forest Stewardship Standard for South Korea

The standard becomes effective on 1 May 2026.

Forests cover more than 63% of South Korea’s land area, making them a key part of the country’s identity and ecology. With over two-thirds of forests privately owned and most situated in mountainous terrain, forest management in Korea presents a unique challenge: not preventing deforestation, but enabling responsible and sustainable use of forest resources.

Despite extensive forest coverage, many of Korea’s forests remain underutilized—economically, socially, and institutionally. While the public enjoys the benefits of the forest, they tend to view it solely as an area for preservation rather than as an environment for active use. Forest owners lack awareness of sustainable management due to insufficient incentives. Meanwhile, businesses have yet to recognize ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, as practical tools for implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies.

Although market demand for FSC-certified products is rising in South Korea, the local supply of FSC-certified wood remains extremely limited, creating a mismatch between consumer demand and the available supply.

The FSC Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Korea, which becomes effective on 1 May 2026, offers a practical solution. It introduces a comprehensive and locally adapted framework for responsible forest management that can help increase the supply of FSC-certified timber while promoting sustainability and ensuring market credibility.

While illegal logging is not a major concern in South Korea, climate-related threats such as wildfires and landslides are growing. The IFSS helps strengthen protections against such risks and ensures that forest operations adhere to global standards of transparency, accountability, and sustainability.

The new IFSS also aligns with South Korea’s efforts to modernize forest governance and enhance the social and environmental roles of forests. It complements a range of national and local initiatives, including programs on forest healing, eco-tourism, biodiversity conservation, and support for small forest owners. Together, these efforts strengthen the forest sector’s contribution to broader sustainability goals.

Developed through an inclusive process with input from forest owners, NGOs, academia, industry, and public authorities, the standard reflects South Korea’s unique forestry realities. Its criteria are adapted to ensure both practicality and impact.

Ultimately, the FSC IFSS positions Korea’s forests not only as areas for conservation but as productive, sustainable, and socially inclusive landscapes that benefit both present and future generations.

For any queries on the standard, please contact the FSC Country Requirements Team via: country_requirements@fsc.org.

The IFSS for South Korea (English version) is available in the FSC Document Centre.

A translated version (into Korean) will be available on FSC Korea’s website in due course. Visit FSC Korea’s Newsroom for more related news.