FRAMEWORK ACT ON FORESTRY
Act No. 6477, May 24, 2001
Amended by Act No. 9723, May 27, 2009
Act No. 10480, Mar. 29, 2011
Act No. 13025, Jan. 20, 2015
Act No. 15079, Nov. 28, 2017
Act No. 16707, Dec. 3, 2019
CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to improving the quality of life of the nation and the sound development of the national economy by prescribing basic matters for forestry policies to promote various functions of forests and to develop forestry.
| Article 2 (Basic Principles) |
Since the forest, as the foundation for preserving the national land and the environment and producing forestry products, is a crucial asset for the development of the national economy and the survival of living things, the realization of the sustainable forestry management by harmoniously using and managing forestry shall be the basic principle of this Act.
The definitions of the terms used in this Act are as follows: <Amended on Jan. 20, 2015; Nov. 28, 2017>
| 1. | The term "sustainable forest management" means protecting and managing forests so as to satisfy diverse demand for forests by the future generation as well as the current generation in relation to the social, economic, ecological, cultural, and psychological aspects, through the enhancement of the ecological soundness of forests and the long-term conservation and development of forest resources; |
| 2. | The term "mountain village" means an area prescribed by Presidential Decree in which the ratio of forest area to total land area is remarkably high and population density is low; |
| 3. | The term "forest welfare" means economic, social, and emotional support to contribute to promoting citizen’s welfare by creating and providing services for forest culture and recreation, forest education, forest healing, etc. on the basis of forests; |
| Article 4 (Accountability of State and Local Governments) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall held accountable for establishing and implementing comprehensive policies concerning conservation and use of forests, such as conservation of forests, enhancement of functions of forests in the public interest, development of forestry, development of mountain villages, etc. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall take legislative and financial measures in implementing policy measures with regard to conservation and use of forests. |
| (3) | The people shall proactively cooperate with forest policy measures of the State and local governments so that forests may be conserved and used in a reasonable manner. |
| (4) | A forest owner or a person who intends to profit from a forest shall endeavor to manage the forest in a sustainable manner. <Newly Inserted on Jan. 20, 2015> |
CHAPTER II BASIC DIRECTIONS OF POLICIES
| Article 5 (Rational Conservation and Use of Forests) |
| (1) | Where promoting forest policy measures and projects related thereto, the State and local governments shall endeavor to maintain balance between conservation and use of forests for the purposes of sustainable forest management. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall categorize and control forests according to the purpose of use so as to promote sustainable forest management and comprehensive and effective administration of forest. |
| Article 6 (Promotion of Functions of Forests) |
The State and local governments shall endeavor to cultivate and protect the forests by establishing long-term goals and directions so that various functions of forests, such as conservation of land and environment, supply of forest products, promotion of forest welfare, maintenance, increase of carbon sinks, and so forth may be fully attained. <Amended on Jan. 20, 2015>
| Article 7 (Fostering of Forestry) |
The State and local governments shall endeavor to enhance the competitiveness of the forestry and to improve the income level of the forestry workers in order to promote the balanced development of forestry and to foster forestry workers in a sound manner.
| Article 8 (Promotion of Mountain Villages) |
The State and local governments shall endeavor to improve income levels in mountain villages and the welfare of the residents therein to promote the balanced development of the land and to effectively manage forest resources.
| Article 9 (International Cooperation and Policies for Preparation for Unification) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall endeavor to strengthen international cooperation for preserving forests on the Earth and to formulate and implement forest-related policies necessary for getting prepared for unification. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019> |
| (2) | The State shall endeavor to promote inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation in preserving and using forests. <Newly Inserted on Dec. 3, 2019> |
| (3) | The State shall conduct surveys and research on policies and systems relating to the forests in North Korea and current status thereof in order to promote mutual exchanges and cooperation between the North and the South in preserving and using forests. <Newly Inserted on Dec. 3, 2019> |
| (4) | The State may prepare measures for facilitating international cooperation with foreign governments, international organizations, or with relevant institutions and organizations, in order to promote mutual exchanges and cooperation between the North and the South in preserving and using forests. <Newly Inserted on Dec. 3, 2019> |
CHAPTER III ESTABLISHMENT OF FOREST MASTER PLANS
| Article 10 (Long-Term Prospect for Supply of Forest Resources and Forest Products) |
| (1) | The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall publicly announce the long-term prospects for supply of and demand for forest resources and forest products. |
| (2) | Necessary matters concerning long-term prospects under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017> |
| Article 11 (Formulation and Implementation of Forest Master Plans) |
| (1) | The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall formulate and implement forest master plans, including the following matters, for the nationwide forests after having consultations thereon with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies so that sustainable forest management can be realized based on the long-term prospects provided for in Article 10 (1): <Amended on May 27, 2009; Jan. 20, 2015; Nov. 28, 2017; Dec. 3, 2019> |
| 1. | Basic goals of forest policy measures and direction-setting for the implementation thereof; |
| 2. | Matters regarding creation and fostering of forest resources; |
| 3. | Matters regarding conservation and protection of forests; |
| 4. | Matters regarding improving functions of forests to promote the public interest; |
| 5. | Matters regarding responding to and recovery from forest disasters, such as landslide, wild fire, forest pests, and diseases; |
| 6. | Matters regarding producing, processing, distributing, exporting, etc. forest products; |
| 7. | Matters regarding classification of use of forest products and plans for use thereof; |
| 8. | Matters regarding promotion of forest welfare; |
| 9. | Matters regarding maintaining and increasing carbon sinks; |
| 10. | Matters regarding international cooperation in forestry; |
| 11. | Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree in relation to forests and forestry. |
| (2) | The Mayor of the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, Mayors of the Metropolitan Cities, Mayor of the Special Self-Governing City, Governors of Dos, Governor of the Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as the "Mayor/Do Governor"), and the chief of each Regional Forest Service, shall formulate and implement regional forest plans based upon the characteristics of forests in the regions under their jurisdiction in accordance with forest mater plans under paragraph (1). <Amended on Jan. 20, 2015; Nov. 28, 2017> |
| (3) | Forest mater plans and regional forest plans referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be formulated every 20 years, and where reasonable grounds exist, such as substantial changes in forest situations or economic conditions, such plans may be amended. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017> |
| (4) | Necessary matters concerning procedures to formulate and amend forest mater plans and regional forest plans, gathering of consensus from related institutions, and similar matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017> |
| (5) | The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may evaluate implementation performance, etc. of forest mater plans and regional forest plans provided for in paragraphs (1) and (2), and may provide differentiated budgetary support based on the results thereof. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017> |
| (6) | Where forest master plans are formulated or modified, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall notify such fact to the heads of relevant central administrative agencies and Mayors/Do Governors and shall submit them to a competent standing committee of the National Assembly. <Newly Inserted on Dec. 3, 2019> |
| (7) | Where forest master plans are formulated or modified, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall publish such fact as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Newly Inserted on Dec. 3, 2019> |
| (9) | Where necessary for formulating forest master plans, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may request the heads of relevant central administrative agencies or Mayors/Do Governors to submit relevant data. In such cases, the heads of the relevant agencies so requested shall comply in the absence of good cause. <Newly Inserted on Dec. 3, 2019> |
| Article 12 (Annual Report on Trends in Forests and Forestry) |
The Government shall annually prepare a report on the trends in forests and forestry and policy measures thereon, submit the same to the National Assembly, and publish it as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
CHAPTER IV CONSERVATION AND USE OF FORESTS
| Article 13 (Evaluation Standards and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management) |
| (1) | In order to promote sustainable forest management, the State and local governments shall formulate and operate standards and indicators to measure and evaluate the sustainability of forests. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall measure and evaluate changes in forest resources and components thereof, and reflect the results thereof in forest policy measures in accordance with paragraph (1). <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017> |
| Article 14 (Eco-Friendly Use of Forests) |
The State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures, such as formulation of standards for the conversion of use of forests for the purpose of eco-friendly use of forests. <Amended on Jan. 20, 2015>
| Article 15 (Policy Measures concerning Forest Disasters) |
In order to protect forest resources and promote stable forestry management, the State and local governments shall establish and implement policy measures necessary to prevent and recover from forest disasters, etc., such as landslides, wild fire, and forest pests, and diseases, and to rationally conserve them from the damage resulting from forest disasters. <Amended on May 27, 2009>
CHAPTER V PROMOTING FUNCTIONS OF FORESTS IN PUBLIC INTERESTS
| Article 16 (Building up Forest Resources) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policy measures for building up forest resources, such as forest plantation and cultivation by taking into account regional characteristics to promote sustainable forest management. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall establish and implement policy measures necessary to improve the quality of forest resources, such as supplying high-bred seeds and seedlings. |
| Article 17 (Enhancing Functions of Forests in Public Interests) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures to enhance functions of forests in the public interest, such as groundwater recharge, air purification, prevention of disasters, recreation, healing, conservation of forest biodiversity, conservation of forest landscape, and carbon sequestration. <Amended on Jan. 20, 2015> |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall endeavor to evaluate forests’ functions in the public interest, and reflect the result thereof in policy measures. |
| Article 18 (Cultivation and Management of Urban Forests) |
The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policy measures necessary to systematically manage forests and green zones in urban areas.
| Article 19 (Protection and Development of Arboretums) |
In order to facilitate the conservation and use of genetic resources of trees, the State and local governments shall establish and implement policy measures necessary to protect and develop arboretums.
| Article 20 (Promotion of Forest Welfare and Cultivation of Forest Culture) |
The State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures to promote forest welfare and a healthy forest culture, such as providing the people with pleasant space for forest welfare, by developing various facilities for forest recreation, forest healing, and forest education. <Amended on Jan. 20, 2015>
[Title Amended on Jan. 20, 2015]
| Article 20-2 (Utilization of Forest Resources to Cope with Climate Change) |
The State and local governments shall formulate and implement following policy measures to cope with climate change based upon the impact climate change has on forests and forestry:
| 1. | Policy measures to utilize forest resources to continuously maintain and increase carbon sinks domestically and overseas; |
| 2. | Policy measures to utilize forest resources so that the development, production, use, and propagation of new and renewable energy are accelerated and expanded; |
| 3. | Other policy measures to utilize forest resources necessary for coping with climate change. |
[This Article Newly Inserted on Jan. 20, 2015]
CHAPTER VI FORESTRY CULTIVATION
| Article 21 (Establishment of Forestry Management Basis) |
| (1) | For the purpose of improving productivity in forestry, the State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures, such as expanding forest roads, facilitating forestry mechanization, and encouraging appropriate scale of forest management. <Amended on Jan. 20, 2015> |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures to improve management capabilities of forest administrative bodies, such as devoted forest managers, successors to forestry, and forest cooperatives, such as development of management skills, provision of management information, and financial support. |
| (3) | In order to train and secure forestry experts necessary for forestry management, the State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures, such as education and training, development and propagation of technologies, and on-site utilization. <Newly Inserted on Jan. 20, 2015> |
| Article 21-2 (Creation, etc., of Forestry Jobs) |
In order to create forestry jobs and to improve the welfare of persons engaged in forestry, the State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures, such as facilitation of employment and start-ups, stability of employment, improvement of work conditions, and strengthening of workplace safety.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Jan. 20, 2015]
| Article 22 (Balance between Supply of and Demand for Forest Products and Price Stability thereof) |
| (1) | In order to balance the supply of and demand for forest products and to stabilize the prices thereof, the State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures, such as the establishment of a production base, expansion of processing and distribution infrastructure, coordination of shipments, promotion of exportation, and expansion of uses. <Amended on Jan. 20, 2015> |
| (2) | In order to secure the sources for supply of lumber, the State and local governments shall establish and implement necessary policy measures to develop overseas forest resources, such as support for domestic and overseas afforestation. <Amended on Jan. 20, 2015> |
| (3) | Considering that revitalizing the use of forest products is an important means for coping with climate change, the State and local governments shall formulate and implement policy measures necessary for promoting the domestic wood industry. <Newly Inserted on Jan. 20, 2015> |
[Title Amended on Jan. 20, 2015]
| Article 23 (Managing Forest Product Quality and Improving Distribution System) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures, such as quality certification, and public announcement of standard to secure safety of forestry products, improve the quality thereof, and help customers make rational choices. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures, such as modernization of distribution facilities of forestry products, and computerization of distribution information, to stimulate forestry. |
[Title Amended on Jan. 20, 2015]
| Article 24 (Promotion of Forestry Technology) |
The State and local governments shall establish and implement necessary policies, such as research and development of forestry technology, supply thereof, etc. in order to enhance competitiveness of forestry and adding of value to forestry products.
| Article 25 (Advancement of Forests Information Technology) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures to advance information technology in forestry, in order to enable scientific and effective forest and forestry management. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall make an endeavor to strengthen the awareness and interest of people on forests and forestry through the provision of information related to the policy measures for forests and forestry. |
| Article 26 (Promotion of Forestry-Related Organizations) |
The State and local governments may provide support for establishing and operating forestry-related organizations, such as forestry cooperatives, the National Forestry Cooperative Federation, and the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute established under Article 29-2 of the Forestry and Mountain Villages Development Promotion Act, to protect the rights and interests of persons engaged in forestry and to improve their economic and social status. <Amended on Jan. 20, 2015>
CHAPTER VII NATIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
| Article 27 (National Forest Management) |
The State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures to ensure that national forests are managed in a rational manner for the purposes of securing supply stability of forestry products and promoting functions of forests in the public interest.
| Article 28 (Designation of Mountain Village Development Districts) |
| (1) | The Mayor/Do Governor may designate a district necessary for the promotion of mountain villages as a mountain village development district. <Amended on Mar. 29, 2011; Jan. 20, 2015> |
| (2) | Necessary matters concerning requirements and procedures for designation of mountain village development district shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 29 (Establishment of Mountain Village Development Policy Measures) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement comprehensive policy measures to develop income sources of residents in mountain villages, improve their living environment, and so forth. |
| (2) | The State and local governments may provide necessary support for mountain village development, etc. |
| Article 30 (Expansion of Exchanges between Urban Areas and Mountain Villages) |
The State and local governments shall establish and implement policy measures concerning expansion of mutual exchanges, etc. for mutually beneficial development between urban areas and mountain villages.
CHAPTER VIII INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN FORESTRY
| Article 31 (Formulation, etc. of Policy Measures for International Cooperation in Forestry) |
| (1) | In order to find solutions to environmental problems on an international scale and to manage forests in a sustainable manner, the State shall formulate and implement policy measures to promote international cooperation in forestry with foreign governments, international organs, or relevant institutions, organizations, etc. |
| (2) | Where necessary for the promotion of policy measures referred to in paragraph (1), the State shall conduct studies and research in the areas of policies and systems related to forests of international communities and the present status thereto. |
| (3) | Where necessary for studies and research conducted under paragraph (2), the State may request any cooperation from relevant institutions, organizations, etc., and in such cases, render necessary assistance to the relevant institutions, organizations, etc. |
[This Article Newly Inserted on Jan. 20, 2015]
| Article 32 (Assistance to International Organs, etc.) |
| (1) | In order to promote international cooperation in forestry and to contribute to international communities, the State may render necessary assistance to international organs or relevant institutions, organizations, etc., for their establishment, operation, and promotion of business. |
| (2) | Necessary matters regarding the scope of international organs or relevant institutions, organizations, etc., eligible for assistance under paragraph (1), details of assistance, etc., shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
[This Article Newly Inserted on Jan. 20, 2015]
ADDENDA <Act No. 6477, May 24, 2001>
| (1) | (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force on January 1, 2002. |
| (2) | (Transitional Measures concerning Forest Mater Plans) Forest mater plans formulated under the previous provisions of Article 6 of the Forestry Act which was in force as at the time this Act entered into force shall be deemed formulated under Article 11 (1). |
| (3) | (Transitional Measures concerning Regional Forest Plan) Regional forest plans formulated under the previous provisions of Article 7 of the Forestry Act which was in force as at the time this Act enters into force shall be deemed formulated under Article 11 (2). |
ADDENDUM <Act No. 9723, May 27, 2009>
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 10480, Mar. 29, 2011>
| (1) | (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into six months after the date of its promulgation. |
| (2) | (Transitional Measures concerning Designation of Mountain Village Development Districts) Mountain village development districts designated pursuant to the previous provisions at the time this Act enters into force shall be deemed designated pursuant to this Act. |
ADDENDUM <Act No. 13025, Jan. 20, 2015>
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 15079, Nov. 28, 2017>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2018.
Article 2 (Applicability concerning Formulation of Forest Mater Plans and Regional Forest Plans)
The amended provisions of Article 11 (3) shall begin to apply from the first forest master plan and regional forest plan formulated after this Decree shall enter into force.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 16707, Dec. 3, 2019>
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.