The Korea Forest Service discussed efficient strategies for promoting the Wood-friendly City and Timber Construction Demonstration Projects with the National Institute of Forest Science, local governments, and experts at the Government Complex Daejeon on the 9th. The meeting included special lectures and expert consultations on the utilization of trees damaged by forest fires and improvements to existing project cases.
The Wood-friendly City creation project, which started in 2022, aims to enhance living environments such as buildings, homes, and streets through the use of domestic wood. This project will be conducted over four years across ten locations, with a total contribution of 5 billion won per location, including 50% national funding.
The Timber Construction Demonstration Project focuses on using domestic wood for public buildings. It is being implemented in 24 locations nationwide, with each location receiving 13 billion won, including 50% national funding. In total, both projects are being carried out across 34 locations.
Domestic wood is recognized as a “carbon sink” under the UN Climate Change Convention. It can replace high-carbon materials like steel and concrete, providing substantial carbon reduction benefits. Wood is also considered a human-friendly material that helps reduce stress and asthma.
The Korea Forest Service is laying the groundwork to achieve carbon neutrality in the forestry sector and strengthen the domestic wood industry through these efforts.
Park Eun-sik, Director of the Forest Industry Policy Bureau, stated, “Timber construction is a key means for carbon neutrality and the development of the wood industry,” adding, “We will continue to expand the projects and improve the system to further enhance the use of domestic wood.”