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FOREST WELFARE PROMOTION ACT

Act No. 13255, Mar. 27, 2015

Amended by Act No. 13797, Jan. 19, 2016

Act No. 14269, May 29, 2016

Act No. 14357, Dec. 2, 2016

Act No. 14480, Dec. 27, 2016

Act No. 14532, Jan. 17, 2017

Act No. 14839, Jul. 26, 2017

Act No. 14912, Oct. 24, 2017

Act No. 15395, Feb. 21, 2018

Act No. 15393, Feb. 21, 2018

Act No. 15394, Feb. 21, 2018

Act No. 16231, Jan. 15, 2019

Act No. 16568, Aug. 27, 2019

Act No. 16712, Dec. 3, 2019

Act No. 17095, Mar. 24, 2020

Act No. 17171, Mar. 31, 2020

Act No. 18262, Jun. 15, 2021

Act No. 19116, Dec. 27, 2022

Act No. 19117, Dec. 27, 2022

CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
 Article 1 (Purpose)
The purpose of this Act is to prescribe matters necessary to promote such welfare in order to contribute to improving the people's health and quality of life and to promoting their happiness by providing systematic forest-based forest welfare services.
 Article 2 (Definitions)
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows: <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018; Jun. 15, 2021; Dec. 27, 2022>
1. The term "forest welfare" means financial, social, and emotional assistance designed to contribute to enhancing the people's wellbeing by providing them with forest-based forest welfare services;
2. The term "forest welfare services" means services rendered based on forests, such as forestry culture and recreation, forest education, and forest healing;
3. The term "person alienated from forest welfare" means a person prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as a recipient defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the National Basic Living Security Act and a person from the low-income bracket;
4. The term "forest welfare service voucher" means a card on which an amount or quantity of forest welfare is inscribed (including records by electronic or magnetic means; hereinafter the same shall apply) to allow people alienated from forest welfare to use various forest welfare services;
5. The term "forest welfare service provider" means an institution or organization registered with the Minister of the Korea Forest Service pursuant to Article 10 which utilizes forest welfare service vouchers for providing forest welfare services;
6. The term "forest welfare expert" means any of the following persons who provide forest welfare services:
(a) A forest interpreter defined in subparagraph 2 (a) of Article 2 of the Forest Education Promotion Act;
(b) A forest guide for toddlers defined in subparagraph 2 (b) of Article 2 of the Forest Education Promotion Act;
(c) A forest trail mountaineering guide defined in subparagraph 2 (c) of Article 2 of the Forest Education Promotion Act;
(d) A forest healing instructor referred to in Article 11-2 of the Forestry Culture and Recreation Act;
(e) An instructor of forest leisure sports referred to in Article 12 of the Forestry Culture and Recreation Act;
(f) Other persons equivalent to those under items (a) through (e), as prescribed by Presidential Decree;
7. The term "specialized forest welfare business" means a business prescribed by Presidential Decree, which uses, as its means of business, the provision of forest interpretation, forest healing, and other forest welfare services;
8. The term "forest welfare district" means a district designated by the Minister of the Korea Forest Service to provide forest welfare services utilizing forest resources;
9. The term "forest welfare facility" means any of the following facilities created to provide forest welfare services:
(a) A natural recreation forest, forest bathing, healing forest, and forest path under the Forestry Culture and Recreation Act;
(b) A forest visitor center for toddlers or a forest education center under the Forest Education Promotion Act;
(c) Other facilities prescribed by Presidential Decree, which are directly related to the provision of forest welfare services and to the operation of a forest welfare complex;
10. The term "forest welfare complex" means an area created by establishing multiple forest welfare facilities to provide forest welfare services in a forest welfare district.
 Article 3 (Responsibilities of the State and Local Governments)
(1) The State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policies to ensure that all the people are allowed to benefit from forest welfare through the promotion, etc. of forest welfare services.
(2) The State and local governments shall seek policies necessary to expand forest welfare services to people alienated from forest welfare.
 Article 4 (Relationships to Other Acts)
(1) This Act shall take precedence over other Acts with regard to the designation of forest welfare districts and the creation of forest welfare complexes.
(2) The Act on the Use of Social Services and the Management of Vouchers shall apply mutatis mutandis to matters not provided for in this Act related to forest welfare service vouchers.
CHAPTER II FOREST WELFARE PROMOTION PLANS
 Article 5 (Forest Welfare Promotion Plans)
(1) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall formulate and implement a forest welfare promotion plan which includes the following (hereinafter referred to as "promotion plan") every five years, in order to promote forest welfare:
1. Objectives and implementation directions for promoting forest welfare services;
2. Supply of, and demand for, forest welfare services, forest welfare service vouchers, forest welfare service providers, forest welfare experts, and forest welfare facilities;
3. Current status, expansion plans, operation evaluation, and future improvement of forest welfare complexes and facilities;
4. Other matters related to the promotion of forest welfare.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may amend a promotion plan, if necessary to do so due to changes in demand for forest welfare and the conditions of forest resources.
(3) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service intends to formulate or amend a promotion plan pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), he or she shall associate it with the following plans: <Added on Feb. 21, 2018>
1. The master plan for forestry culture and recreation formulated under Article 4 (1) of the Forestry Culture and Recreation Act;
2. The master plan for creating and managing forest paths for forests under Article 22-3 (1) of the Forestry Culture and Recreation Act;
3. The comprehensive plan for forest education formulated under Article 4 (1) of the Forest Education Promotion Act.
(4) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service intends to formulate or amend a promotion plan pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), he or she shall first consult with the head of each related central administrative agency and then have the plan deliberated upon by the Forest Welfare Deliberative Committee established under Article 8: Provided, That the same shall not apply to any alteration to minor matters prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018>
(5) Upon receiving a request for consultation under the main clause of paragraph (4), the head of each related central administrative agency shall present his or her opinion within 30 days after receipt of such request, except in extenuating circumstances. <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018>
(6) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service has formulated a promotion plan pursuant to paragraph (1) or ha amended the contents thereof pursuant to paragraph (2), he or she shall notify such fact to the head of each related central administrative agency, the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, and a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as the "Mayor/Do Governor"). <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018>
(7) The formulation, implementation, and amendment of promotion plans under paragraphs (1) and (2) and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018>
 Article 6 (Fact-Finding Surveys and Compilation of Statistics)
(1) To formulate and implement the promotion plan efficiently, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may conduct a fact-finding survey on the status of the use of forest welfare services, demand for forest welfare services, the status of forest resources, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "fact-finding survey"). <Amended on Jun. 15, 2021>
(2) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may entrust the fact-finding survey to a specialized institution prescribed by Presidential Decree, if necessary to conduct the survey in an efficient manner. <Amended on Jun. 15, 2021>
(3) If necessary for the fact-finding survey, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may request the head of each related central administrative agency, the head of the relevant local government, the head of the relevant public institution (referring to a public institution prescribed in Article 4 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions; hereinafter the same shall apply), or the head of the relevant institution or organization to submit necessary data. In such cases, the head of the related agency, etc. upon receipt of a request for the submission of data shall comply therewith, unless there is good cause. <Amended on Jun. 15, 2021>
(4) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall compile, manage, and publish statistics on the provision and use of forest welfare services using the results of the fact-finding survey, but may consult with the Commissioner of the Statistics Korea if necessary for the compilation, etc. of the statistics. <Added on Jun. 15, 2021>
(5) The scope and method of the fact-finding survey and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. <Amended on Jun. 15, 2021>
[Title Amended on Jun. 15, 2021]
 Article 7 (Establishment and Operation of Forest Welfare Information System)
(1) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall establish and operate an information system on forest welfare in order to convey information, data, etc. on forest welfare to the people and to formulate and execute policies necessary for promoting forest welfare in an efficient manner.
(2) Matters necessary for the establishment and operation of the information system on forest welfare referred to in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
 Article 8 (Establishment of Forest Welfare Deliberative Committee)
(1) A Forest Welfare Deliberative Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Minister of the Korea Forest Service to deliberate on the following:
1. Formulation and amendment of promotion plans;
2. Deleted; <Feb. 21, 2018>
3. Designation of forest welfare districts and cancellation of such designation;
4. Approval of plans to create a forest welfare complex and the implementation plans thereof;
5. Matters referred by the Chairperson to the Committee for deliberation concerning the operation of the Korea Forest Welfare Institute under Article 49;
6. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree regarding forest welfare.
(2) The Committee shall be comprised of at least 20 but not more than 30 members, including one chairperson and one vice chairperson. In such cases, women shall constitute at least 1/5 of the quorum of Committee members. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
(3) When organizing the committee, the number of commissioned and recommended members of a specific gender (referring to the number of the commissioned and recommended members shall not exceed 6/10 of the total number of the commissioned and recommended members: Provided, That the foregoing shall not apply where the Chairperson deems that there is any unavoidable cause, such as a lack of professional personnel of a specific gender in the relevant field. <Added on Dec. 3, 2019>
(4) The Deputy Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall serve as the Chairperson of the Committee; the Vice Chairperson shall be elected among members of the Committee; and the following persons shall serve as members of the Committee: <Amended on Jul. 26, 2017; Dec. 3, 2019>
1. Not more than six persons commissioned by the Minister of the Korea Forest Service, who are experts in forestry culture and recreation, forest education, or forest healing;
2. Not less than three but not more than six persons recommended by the Chairperson of the Central Mountainous District Management Committee established under the Mountainous Districts Management Act, from among the former and current members of such Committee;
3. One public official of Grade III in charge of forest welfare affairs of the Korea Forest Service or one public official who is a member of the Senior Executive Service;
4. One person recommended by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, who is an expert in agriculture, rural communities, farmland, or food;
5. Not more than two persons recommended by the Chairperson of the Central Building Committee established under the Building Act, from among the former and current members of such Committee;
6. Not more than two persons recommended by the Chairperson of the Central Urban Planning Committee established under the National Land Planning and Utilization Act, from among the former and current members of such Committee;
7. Not more than seven persons designated by the heads of related central administrative agencies, from among public officials who are members of the Senior Executive Service, such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport;
8. Not more than three persons commissioned by the Minister of the Korea Forest Service, from among persons who represent non-governmental organizations (referring to non-profit, non-governmental organizations defined in Article 2 of the Assistance for Non-Profit, Non-Governmental Organizations Act);
9. Not more than two persons recommended by the Chairperson of the Central Environmental Policy Committee established under the Framework Act on Environmental Policy, from among the former and current members of such Committee.
(5) The term of office of members of the Committee shall be two years: Provided, That a member who is a public official shall continue to hold office while he or she remains in the position. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
(6) The Committee may have subcommittees and expert members to efficiently perform its affairs, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
(7) The composition and operation of the Committee and subcommittees, appointment of expert members and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
CHAPTER III FOREST WELFARE SERVICES
 Article 9 (Plan to Provide Forest Welfare Service Vouchers)
(1) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall annually formulate and implement a plan for the issuance of, issuance criteria for, and cost-bearing of, forest welfare service vouchers and other matters.
(2) The details, time and procedures for formulation, alteration, etc. of the plan to provide forest welfare service vouchers referred to in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 10 (Registration of Forest Welfare Service Providers)
(1) A person who operates the following facilities or files for registration of the specialized forest welfare business under Article 21 (1) may become a forest welfare service provider: <Amended on Dec. 27, 2022>
1. A forest welfare complex;
2. A natural recreation forest under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Forestry Culture and Recreation Act, a forest bathing under subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of the same Act, or a healing forest under subparagraph 5 of Article 2 of the same Act;
3. A forest visitor center for toddlers under Article 12 of the Forest Education Promotion Act, and a forest education center under Article 13 of the same Act;
4. Other facilities designated by the Minister of the Korea Forest Service.
(2) A forest welfare service provider shall be registered with the Minister of the Korea Forest Service after satisfying the criteria for facilities and human resources prescribed by Presidential Decree. The same shall also apply where the provider intends to modify any registered matters.
(3) Matters necessary for the registration, alteration of the registration of a forest welfare service provider, and the management and use of registered information shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
 Article 11 (Revocation of Registration of Forest Welfare Service Provider)
(1) Where a forest welfare service provider registered pursuant to Article 10 (2) falls under any of the following cases, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may revoke the registration or suspend the relevant business for a given period of up to six months: Provided, That the registration shall be revoked, if the forest welfare service provider falls under subparagraph 1 or 4-2 (limited to cases of revocation of registration under Article 22): <Amended on Dec. 27, 2022>
1. Where it is registered by fraud or other improper means;
2. Where it fails to commence operation within one year after the registration or suspends business for at least one year, without good cause;
3. Where it fails to satisfy the criteria for facilities and human resources referred to in Article 10 (2);
4. Where it fails to assign a forest welfare expert to relevant facilities under Article 20;
4-2. Where a disposition of revocation of registration or business suspension under Article 22 is imposed on a person who has filed for registration of specialized forest welfare business under Article 21 (1);
5. Where it rejects the use of forest welfare service vouchers by forest welfare service voucher users without any justifiable reason, in violation of Article 25 (2);
6. Where it fails to comply with an instruction or order referred to in Article 26; where it rejects, interferes with, or evades investigations; or where it makes a false report or submits false data;
7. Where it charges forest welfare service users fees for forest welfare services by fraud or other improper means.
(2) Where the registration of a forest welfare service provider is revoked pursuant to paragraph (1), no registered matters revoked shall be reinstated again within two years from the revocation thereof.
(3) Detailed criteria for the revocation of registration, etc. referred to in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree in consideration of the types, degree, etc. of violations.
 Article 11-2 (Imposition of Penalty Surcharges)
(1) Where business suspension is to be ordered pursuant to Article 11 (1) 3, 4, or 7, but the business suspension may cause great inconvenience to forest welfare service users, etc. or may harm the public interest, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may impose a penalty surcharge not exceeding 10 million won in lieu of the business suspension.
(2) The types of violation based on which the penalty surcharge is imposed pursuant to paragraph (1), the amount of the penalty surcharge depending on the severity of the violation, and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(3) If a person subject to the penalty surcharge under paragraph (1) does not pay it by the due date, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall collect it in the same manner as the compulsory collection of national taxes.
[This Article Added on Dec. 27, 2022]
 Article 12 (Management of Forest Welfare Service Providers)
(1) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall evaluate whether a forest welfare service provider has properly operated its business in compliance with the criteria for facilities and human resources referred to in Article 10 (2) and shall disclose the results of evaluation to the public. <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018>
(2) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may reward persons who are found exemplary by the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1). <Added on Feb. 21, 2018>
(3) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may educate and conduct training on the provision of forest welfare services for forest welfare service providers and relevant workers. In such cases, he or she may use the results of the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) for data to formulate plans for education and training on the provision of forest welfare services. <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018>
(4) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may entrust the affairs related to evaluation referred to in paragraph (1) and education and training referred to in paragraph (3) to a specialized institution prescribed by Presidential Decree. In such cases, he or she may subsidize the budget necessary for such evaluation, education, and training. <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018>
(5) The details and method of, procedures and expenses for, the evaluation referred to in paragraph (1), education and training referred to in paragraph (3), and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018>
 Article 13 Deleted. <Feb. 21, 2018>
 Article 14 Deleted. <Feb. 21, 2018>
 Article 15 (Restitution of Unjust Enrichment from Forest Welfare Service Provider)
(1) Where a forest welfare service provider has received forest welfare service fees from forest welfare service users by fraud or other improper means, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall restitute the fees already paid, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 24, 2020>
(2) Where a person obliged to return the collected fees claimed pursuant to paragraph (1) fails to return them, the fees shall be collected in the same manner as delinquent national taxes are collected.
 Article 16 (Consideration for Mobility Disadvantaged Persons' Use of Facilities)
(1) Where a forest welfare service provider intends to create and operate forest welfare facilities, it shall give consideration to mobility disadvantaged persons by taking such action as providing a means of transportation under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Act on Promotion of the Transportation Convenience of Mobility Disadvantaged Persons.
(2) Matters necessary for the types, etc. of facilities that need to be established to give consideration to mobility disadvantaged persons pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 17 (Projects for Supporting Mountain Village Residents)
(1) A person who creates and operates forest welfare facilities may implement a project for supporting mountain village residents in order to improve the living environment, wellbeing, etc. of residents in a mountain village referred to in subparagraph 2 of Article 3 of the Framework Act on Forestry, in an Eup/Myeon where the relevant facilities are located.
(2) The types of, and procedures and methods for, the projects for supporting mountain village residents referred to in paragraph (1) and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 18 (Preferential Purchase)
A person who creates and operates forest welfare facilities may preferentially purchase and use any of the following goods or forest products:
1. Goods made of domestic materials to promote sustainable forest management under Article 11 (1) of the Forestry and Mountain Villages Development Promotion Act;
3. Forest products produced in a Metropolitan Autonomous City, a Special Self-Governing Province, or a Si/Gun/Gu (referring to an autonomous Gu; hereinafter referred to as "Si/Gun/Gu") where the relevant forest welfare facilities are located;
4. Other products prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
 Article 19 (Preferential Employment of Local Residents)
(1) A person who creates and operates forest welfare facilities may preferentially hire persons who migrate due to the implementation of the relevant project and local residents of the relevant Si/Gun/Gu where the facilities are to be located. <Amended on Jan. 15, 2019>
(2) The State, local governments and public institutions prescribed by the Act on the Management of Public Institutions among persons creating and operating forest welfare facilities shall endeavor to transfer the migrants and local residents they have preferentially hired pursuant to paragraph (1) to permanent workers (referring to workers directly employed by a labor contract without stipulating any term) if such migrants and local residents are non-permanent workers prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as a fixed-term worker or part-time employee prescribed by the Act on the Protection of Fixed-Term and Part-Time Employees. <Added on Jan. 15, 2019>
 Article 20 (Employment of Forest Welfare Experts)
(1) A person who intends to provide forest welfare services by creating and operating forest welfare facilities shall assign a forest welfare expert to such facilities, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(2) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service or the head of the relevant local government may subsidize expenses, etc. incurred in employing the forest welfare expert referred in paragraph (1).
 Article 21 (Registration of Specialized Forest Welfare Business)
(1) A person who intends to engage in a specialized forest welfare business shall register the business with the Minister of the Korea Forest Service. In such cases, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall issue a certificate of registration to the person who has registered the specialized forest welfare business.
(2) No person who has registered a specialized forest welfare business shall transfer or lend the certificate of registration to any other person.
(3) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service and the head of the relevant local government may provide necessary support to persons who have registered a specialized forest welfare business.
(4) The scope of and qualifications for a specialized forest welfare business and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 22 (Revocation of Registration of Specialized Forest Welfare Business)
(1) Where a person who has registered a specialized forest welfare business falls under any of the following cases, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may revoke the registration of the specialized forest welfare business or suspend the business for a given period not exceeding six months: Provided, That the registration shall be revoked, if such person falls under subparagraph 1:
1. Where he or she makes the registration by fraud or other improper means;
2. Where he or she transfers or lends the certificate of registration of a specialized forest welfare business to any other person, in violation of Article 21 (2);
3. Where he or she fails to comply with an instruction or order referred to in Article 26; where he or she rejects, interferes with, or evades investigations; or where he or she makes a false report or submits false data;
4. Where he or she runs the suspended business during the period of business suspension.
(2) Detailed criteria for revocation, etc. of the registration referred to in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree in consideration of the types, degree, etc. of violations.
 Article 22-2 (Management of Specialized Forest Welfare Business)
(1) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall evaluate whether a person registered to engage in a specialized forest welfare business properly operates his or her business within the scope of business and according to qualifications, etc. referred to in Article 21 (4) and shall disclose the results of the evaluation to the public.
(2) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may reward persons who are found exemplary by the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1).
(3) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may educate and conduct training on the provision of forest welfare services for persons registered to engage in a specialized forest welfare business and relevant workers. In such cases, he or she may use the results of the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) for the data to formulate plans for education and training on the provision of forest welfare services.
(4) The details and method of, and procedures and expenses for, the evaluation referred to in paragraph (1) and the education and training referred to in paragraph (3), and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
[This Article Added on Feb. 21, 2018]
 Article 23 (Burden of Expenses Borne by Forest Welfare Service Users)
(1) A forest welfare service provider may have forest welfare service users bear the expenses incurred in providing forest welfare services.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a person who falls under either of the following subparagraphs may be granted a discount on or an exemption from the fees:
1. Where income and property of a forest welfare service user and the person responsible for supporting him or her does not exceed the amount prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs;
2. Other persons prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(3) The scope of the expenses referred to in paragraph (1) and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 24 (Issuance of Forest Welfare Service Vouchers)
(1) Any of the following persons may apply for the issuance of forest welfare service vouchers under a plan to provide forest welfare service vouchers, with the Minister of the Korea Forest Service:
1. A person alienated from forest welfare;
2. A relative of a person alienated from forest welfare;
3. The legal representative of a person alienated from forest welfare.
(2) Upon receipt of the application under paragraph (1), the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may issue forest welfare service vouchers to a person alienated from forest welfare, taking into account the relevant budget, etc. <Amended on Mar. 24, 2020>
(3) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may request the head of each related central administrative agency, the head of the relevant local government, the head of the relevant public institution, or the head of the relevant institution or organization to submit necessary data, with the consent of the parties, if necessary to issue forest welfare service vouchers. In such cases, the head of the related agency, etc. in concern, upon receiving a request for the submission of data, shall comply therewith, unless there is good cause.
(4) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may jointly use the information system referred to in Article 6-2 (2) of the Social Welfare Services Act in order to verify the data referred to in paragraph (3).
(5) Other matters necessary for the application for issuance, etc. of, forest welfare service vouchers shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
 Article 25 (Use of Forest Welfare Service Vouchers)
(1) Where a person who has been issued a forest welfare service voucher pursuant to Article 24 (2) (hereinafter referred to as "forest welfare service voucher user") intends to receive forest welfare services, he or she shall present the voucher to a forest welfare service provider.
(2) No forest welfare service provider shall reject the use of forest welfare service vouchers by forest welfare service voucher users without just cause.
(3) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall disclose the following information to the public in order to guarantee the right of the forest welfare service voucher users to choose forest welfare services and to enhance the quality of forest welfare services:
1. Deleted; <Feb. 21, 2018>
2. Present status of forest welfare service providers;
3. Forest welfare service providers' performance of providing forest welfare services and the quality of services provided;
4. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(4) Matters necessary for using forest welfare service vouchers under paragraph (1), the details and method of, and procedures for, disclosure under paragraph (3), modification of the details disclosed, and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
 Article 26 (Instruction, Order, and Investigation)
(1) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may issue a necessary instruction and order to forest welfare service providers and persons who have registered a specialized forest welfare business in order to provide forest welfare services in an efficient manner.
(2) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may require forest welfare service providers and persons who have registered a specialized forest welfare business to submit data related to the provision of forest welfare services, or may have public officials under his or her jurisdiction make inquiries to the relevant persons and make a report on relevant business.
(3) Where a relevant public official performs his or her duties pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), he or she shall carry a certificate indicating his or her authority and present it to the relevant persons.
(4) Instructions, orders, and investigations related to forest welfare service providers and persons who have registered a specialized forest welfare business and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
CHAPTER IV DESIGNATION OF FOREST WELFARE DISTRICTS AND CREATION AND OPERATION OF FOREST WELFARE COMPLEXES
 Article 27 (Designation of Forest Welfare Districts)
(1) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may designate a forest welfare district after deliberation by the Committee, taking into account demand for forest welfare services and the conditions of forest resources, etc. for creating a forest welfare complex. <Amended on Mar. 24, 2020>
(2) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service intends to designate a forest welfare district or alter a designated forest welfare district, he or she shall first consult with the head of each related central administrative agency.
(3) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service intends to designate or alter the designation of a forest welfare district, he or she shall hear opinions of the local residents in concern.
(4) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service has designated, or altered the designation of, a forest welfare district, he or she shall publicly announce the following:
1. Location and area of the relevant forest welfare district;
2. Basic directions for creating the relevant forest welfare district;
3. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(5) Matters necessary for hearing the opinions of local residents under paragraph (3) and other matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 28 (Designation Standards for Forest Welfare Districts)
(1) A forest welfare district shall meet the following designation standards: <Amended on Mar. 24, 2020>
1. A forest welfare district shall comply with the implementation directions of promotion plans;
2. No forest welfare district shall be any of the following:
(a) A park area under the Natural Parks Act;
(b) A special protection district for wildlife or a protection district for wildlife under the Wildlife Protection and Management Act;
(c) A water-source protection area under the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act;
(d) An ecological and scenery conservation area under the Natural Environment Conservation Act;
(e) A wetland protection area under the Wetlands Conservation Act;
(f) A specified island under the Special Act on the Preservation of the Ecosystems in Island Areas including Dokdo;
(g) A core district in a Baekdu-Daegan Protection Area under the Baekdu-Daegan Protection Act;
(f) A forest genetic resources protection zone under the Forest Protection Act;
(g) A forest for seed collection, or an experimental forest under the Creation and Management of Forest Resources Act;
3. The size of a forest welfare district designated shall be appropriate, considering the objectives of its designation, plans to use mountainous districts, the conditions of adjacent areas, etc.;
4. No risk of a landslide, soil runoff, or other disaster shall exist, considering the gradient, mother rock, elevation, etc. of the relevant mountainous district;
5. The functions of forests to conserve water sources and to preserve the water quality shall not be hindered;
6. A forest welfare district shall have sufficient forest resources and sceneries to contribute to strengthening human immunity and improving physical and mental health.
(2) The details of the designation standards referred to in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 29 (Cancellation of Designation of Forest Welfare District)
(1) Where a forest welfare district designated pursuant to Article 27 falls under either of the following cases, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may cancel its designation after deliberation by the Committee:
1. Where no application has been filed for approval for a plan to create a forest welfare complex under Article 33 (1) in the relevant forest welfare district, within three years from the designation and public announcement of such forest welfare district;
2. Where the designation purpose of the relevant forest welfare district, such as creating a forest welfare complex therein, is deemed unattainable, considering the progress of the relevant project.
(2) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service has cancelled the designation of a forest welfare district pursuant to paragraph (1), he or she shall publicly notify the details of the cancellation and notify the head of each related central administrative agency thereof, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 30 (Principles for Creating Forest Welfare Complexes)
(1) A person who creates a forest welfare complex shall endeavor to comply with the following principles: <Amended on Mar. 24, 2020>
1. The principle of promoting the sustainable use of a mountainous district, other than the expansion of development areas through conversion of a mountainous district, shall be complied with;
2. A forest welfare complex shall be located in a forest except in extenuating circumstances, in consideration of functions of forest welfare services, and the residential facilities shall receive a sufficient amount of sunlight;
3. Natural materials, such as timber, soil, and stone of a local area where a forest welfare complex is to be created, shall be used to the maximum extent possible, and the scenic characteristics of the area shall be considered in its construction and landscape.
4. Necessary facilities, etc. shall be constructed to make it possible to establish a system for the well-functioning cycle of recycling water, food, energy, waste, etc. to the maximum extent possible;
5. Air, water, soil, or marine pollution, the destruction of habitats of wild animals and plants, the disturbance of the ecological order, damage to natural sceneries, and the loss of topsoil shall be minimized;
6. Conditions shall be created where users of a forest welfare complex can engage in the activities of fostering and protecting forest resources and healing themselves;
7. Forest welfare service facilities, etc. shall be established to provide users of a forest welfare complex with forest welfare services, such as forestry culture and recreation, forest education, and forest healing;
8. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree concerning the creation of a forest welfare complex shall be complied with.
 Article 31 (Standards for Ecologically Sustainable Use of Mountainous Districts Applicable to Forest Welfare Complexes)
(1) A forest welfare complex shall be created in compliance with the standards for ecologically sustainable use of mountainous districts.
(2) The standards for the ecologically sustainable use of mountainous districts applicable for creating a forest welfare complex shall be as follows:
1. In the areas where a facility is established or the form and quality of a mountainous district are altered, a forest of at least 60/100 of the areas shall be maintained or a forest belt at least 30 meters wide shall be created;
2. The ground subject to cutting, filling or earthwork and the area subject to alterations to the form and quality shall be minimized and the height of a slope shall not exceed 12 meters in order to maintain the topography of the relevant mountainous district;
3. The specific permeability of rainwater shall not exceed 30/100 of the exclusive use area and separate pollution prevention measures shall be prepared in order to preserve the water quality and soil of the relevant mountainous district;
4. Measures to prevent disasters shall be prepared, such as minimizing changes in the water quantity in the relevant mountainous district and establishing erosion control facilities to cope with landslides or soil runoff;
5. The design, colors, and materials of buildings shall harmonize with the scenery of a neighboring mountainous district;
6. The height, length, density, building coverage ratio, and floor area ratio of a building shall be appropriate;
7. The efficiency of energy use in buildings and the ratio of use of new and renewable energy shall be enhanced, and greenhouse gas emissions shall be minimized.
(3) Detailed standards for the ecologically sustainable use of mountainous districts specified in each subparagraph of paragraph (2) and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 32 (Implementer of Project for Creating and Operating Forest Welfare Complex)
A project for creating and operating a forest welfare complex may be implemented by any of the following entities (hereinafter referred to as "project implementer"): <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018>
1. The State or a local government;
2. The Korea Forest Welfare Institute established under Article 49;
3. An institution prescribed by Presidential Decree from among public institutions;
4. A local government-invested public corporation referred to in the former part of Article 49 (1) of the Local Public Enterprises Act;
5. A public interest corporation established under the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Public Interest Corporations.
 Article 33 (Formulation of Plan to Create Forest Welfare Complex)
(1) A project implementer who intends to create a forest welfare complex shall formulate a plan to create a forest welfare complex (hereinafter referred to as "creation plan") accompanied by the results of a feasibility study referred to in Article 34 (1) and obtain approval therefor from the Minister of the Korea Forest Service.
(2) A creation plan shall include the following:
1. The project implementer;
2. The size of a forest welfare complex, forest welfare facilities, and operation plans;
3. Schemes to associate efficiently with the existing forest welfare service providers;
4. Plans to provide forest welfare services;
5. Projects necessary for conservation, etc. of forest ecology;
6. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(3) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service intends to grant approval for a creation plan, he or she shall consult with the head of each related central administrative agency thereon and then have the plan undergo deliberation by the Committee.
(4) Where the relevant project implementer fails to submit an implementation plan formulated under Article 35 (1) within two years from the date of approval for the creation plan referred to in paragraph (3) without any justifiable reason, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may have the project implementer modify the creation plan or revoke his or her approval therefor after conducting investigations into the progress of the relevant project, the cause of delay, etc.
(5) Other matters necessary for the formulation of, approval for, etc. the creation plan shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
 Article 34 (Feasibility Study on Creation Plan)
(1) A project implementer shall request a specialized institution prescribed by Presidential Decree to conduct a study on the socio-economic feasibility of a creation plan and on its compliance with the principles for creating forest welfare complexes referred to in Article 30 (hereinafter referred to as "feasibility study").
(2) Upon receipt of a request under paragraph (1), the specialized institution shall conduct a feasibility study and inform the relevant project implementer of the results thereof.
(3) Fees necessary for the feasibility study shall be paid for by the project implementer who has requested for the study to the specialized institution.
(4) The detailed criteria, procedures, and method for the feasibility study, the methods of calculation and payment of the fees, and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 35 (Approval for Implementation Plan for Forest Welfare Complex)
(1) A project implementer shall formulate an implementation plan to create a forest welfare complex (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plan") and obtain approval therefor from the Minister of the Korea Forest Service. The same shall also apply where it is intended to alter an approved implementation plan: Provided, That the same shall not apply to any modification to minor matters prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(2) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service intends to approve an implementation plan, he or she shall consult with the head of each related central administrative agency thereon and then have the plan undergo deliberation by the Committee.
(3) An implementation plan shall include the following:
1. Site selection for a forest welfare complex, such as its location and area;
2. The purpose of creating a forest welfare complex;
3. A plan to arrange facilities, such as forest welfare facilities, in the relevant forest welfare complex and the scale of accommodation;
4. Forest resources conservation measures to promote forest welfare services;
5. A plan to conduct responsible supervision following the creation of a forest welfare complex;
6. A plan to utilize forest welfare facilities and to provide forest welfare services;
7. Gathering consensus from the land owners, occupants, or otherwise from interested parties;
8. The details of forest welfare services for persons alienated from forest welfare;
9. Employment of forest welfare experts;
10. The appropriateness of a financing plan and the reasonableness of costs computed;
11. The implementation period for the creation project and annual plans to implement the project;
12. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, which are necessary to create a forest welfare complex.
(4) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service has approved an implementation plan pursuant to paragraph (2), he or she shall publicly announce the details thereof, as prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
(5) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service publicly announces the implementation plan pursuant to paragraph (4), he or she shall also publicly announce, along therewith, the relevant project implementer's address and name, the type of business, and a detailed list of land, buildings, etc. to be expropriated, whether or not the implementation plan requires expropriation of rights, other than ownership of land, buildings or fixtures on land, mining rights, fishing rights, and rights to use water (hereinafter referred to as "land, etc."), and shall notify of such fact to the owner and rights-holder of land, etc. <Amended on Aug. 27, 2019>
(6) The provisions of the Urban Development Act concerning land substitution shall apply mutatis mutandis where a project implementer needs to substitute land in relation to the execution of an implementation plan.
(7) Matters necessary for the formulation of an implementation plan, the details of, procedures, etc. for, applying for approval therefor and approval for alterations thereto referred to in paragraphs (1) through (6) shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
 Article 36 (Revocation of Approval for Implementation Plan)
The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall revoke his or her approval for an implementation plan, if a project implementer who has obtained approval for the implementation plan pursuant to Article 35 falls under either of the following cases:
1. Where he or she obtains approval by fraud or other improper means;
2. Where he or she fails to commence a project for creating a forest welfare complex without any justifiable reason until five years elapse after receipt of approval for the relevant implementation plan.
 Article 37 (Authorization and Permission Deemed Granted under other Statutes)
(1) Where an implementation plan or an amendment to such implementation plan is approved under Article 35, the following approval, permission, authorization, decision, reporting, consultation, revocation, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "authorization, permission, etc.") shall be deemed granted or made; and where approval of an implementation plan is publicly notified, the authorization, permission, etc. shall be deemed publicly notified or announced pursuant to the following Acts: <Amended on Jan. 19, 2016; Dec. 27, 2017; Jan. 17, 2017; Oct. 24, 2017; Feb. 21, 2018; Mar. 24, 2020; Mar. 31, 2020; Dec. 27, 2022>
1. Permission for, or reporting on, conversion of mountainous districts under Article 14 or 15 of the Mountainous Districts Management Act; and permission for, or reporting on the temporary use of mountainous districts under Article 15-2 of the same Act;
2. Permission for, and reporting of, felling standing timber, etc. under Article 36 (1) and (5) of the Creation and Management of Forest Resources Act;
3. Revision or revocation of the designation of a forestry promotion zone under Article 20 of the Forestry and Mountain Villages Development Promotion Act;
4. Permission for lumbering, etc. under Article 14 of the Erosion Control Work Act; and cancellation of the designation of land for erosion control under Article 20 of the same Act;
5. A building permit under Article 11 of the Building Act; building reporting under Article 14 of the same Act; revision to a permit and reporting under Article 16 of the same Act; permission for, and reporting on, a temporary building under Article 20 of the same Act; and consultation on building under Article 29 of the same Act;
6. Permission to implement road works under Article 36 of the Road Act; permission to occupy and use roads under Article 61 of the same Act; and consultation with, or approval from, the road management authority under Article 107 of the same Act;
7. A permit to open a private road under Article 4 of the Private Road Act;
8. Determination on an urban or Gun management plan under Article 30 of the National Land Planning and Utilization Act (limited to facilities defined in subparagraph 6 of Article 2 of the National Land Planning and Utilization Act); permission for development activities under Article 56 of the same Act; designation of an implementer of urban or Gun planning facility projects under Article 86 of the same Act; formulation and authorization of implementation plans under Article 88 of the same Act;
9. Reporting on the commencement, alteration or completion of a project under Article 86 (1) of the Act on the Establishment and Management of Spatial Data;
10. Change and cancellation of an agricultural promotion area under Article 31 of the Farmland Act; and permission for, or consultation on, diversion of farmland under Article 34 of the same Act;
11. Permission for alterations, etc. to the form and quality of land under Article 21-2 of the Grassland Act; and permission for conversion of the use of grassland under Article 23 of the same Act;
12. Cancellation of a dairy zone designated under Article 4 (1) of the Dairy Promotion Act;
13. Permission to use agricultural infrastructure under Article 23 of the Agricultural and Fishing Villages Improvement Act;
14. Non-permission for the establishment of mining rights under Article 24 of the Mining Industry Act; and revocation of mining rights or reduction of mining areas under Article 34 of the same Act;
15. Permission to occupy or use public waters under Article 8 of the Public Waters Management and Reclamation Act; consultation or approval under Article 10 of the same Act; approval for, or reporting on, an implementation plan for occupancy or use under Article 17 of the same Act; reclamation licenses of public waters under Article 28 of the same Act; public notice of reclamation licenses under Article 33 of the same Act; consultation on, or approval for, reclamation conducted by the State, etc. under Article 35 of the same Act; and approval and public notice of an implementation plan for reclamation of public waters under Article 38 of the same Act;
16. Authorization for waterworks business under Article 17 or 49 of the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act; or authorization for the installation of private-use waterworks under Article 52 of the same Act;
17. Permission to implement construction works for a public sewerage system under Article 16 of the Sewerage Act; and permission to occupy and use a public sewerage system under Article 24 of the same Act;
18. Consultation on the appropriateness of integrated energy supply under Article 4 of Integrated Energy Supply Act;
19. Consultation on energy use plans under Article 10 of the Energy Use Rationalization Act;
20. Approval for, or reporting on, plans for works for setting up electric installations for private use under Article 8 of the Electrical Safety Management Act;
22. Formulation of, and approval of, comprehensive plans for the maintenance of small rivers under Article 6 of the Small River Maintenance Act; formulation of plans for implementing the maintenance of small rivers under Article 8 of the same Act; permission to execute small river works under Article 10 of the same Act; and permission for, or reporting on, occupancy and use, etc. of small rivers under Article 14 of the same Act;
23. Consultations on disaster impact assessment, etc. under Article 5 of the Countermeasures against Natural Disasters Act in relation to a development project;
24. Permission to relocate unclaimed graves under Article 27 (1) of the Act on Funeral Services;
26. Approval for, or reporting on, the installation of waste disposal facilities under Article 29 of the Wastes Control Act;
27. Permission to exercise use or benefit from State property under Article 30 of the State Property Act; and disuse of administrative property under Article 40 of the same Act;
28. Disuse of administrative property under Article 11 of the Public Property and Commodity Management Act; and permission for use of or profit-making from administrative property under Article 20 of the same Act;
29. Permission for a land transaction contract under Article 11 of the Act on Report on Real Estate Transactions;
30. Designation of a natural recreation forest under Article 13 (1) through (3) of the Forestry Culture and Recreation Act; approval of a plan for creating a natural recreation forest under Article 14 (2) of the same Act; approval of a plan for creating a forest bath, etc. under Article 20 (2) and (3) of the same Act; and a feasibility assessment under Article 21-2 (1) of the same Act.
(2) Where the Minister of the Korea Forest Service intends to approve an implementation plan which includes any of the matters specified in the subparagraphs of paragraph (1), he or she shall first consult with the head of the related central administrative agency, along with relevant documents submitted by the relevant project implementer. In such cases, the head of the related central administrative agency shall present his or her opinion within 30 days after receipt of a request for consultation, except in extenuating circumstances.
(3) Where authorization, permission, etc. is deemed granted under other Acts pursuant to paragraph (1), an exemption from license tax, fees, user fees, etc. imposed under relevant Acts shall be granted.
 Article 38 (Special Cases on Application of Mountainous Districts Management Act)
(1) Mountainous districts defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Mountainous Districts Management Act among the land within a forest welfare complex for which an implementation plan has been approved pursuant to Article 35 shall be deemed designated as preserved mountainous districts pursuant to Article 5 of the same Act. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), where a project for creating a forest welfare complex fails to commence until five years after the date an implementation plan is approved, the designation of a preserved mountainous district shall be deemed cancelled, and where a project for creating a forest welfare complex begins but the project is suspended, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may cancel the designation of the preserved mountainous district in consideration of the development conditions, etc. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019; Mar. 24, 2020>
(3) Notwithstanding restrictions on activities in preserved mountainous districts under Article 12 of the Mountainous Districts Management Act, a project implementer may create a forest welfare complex in the preserved mountainous districts. <Added on Dec. 3, 2019>
(4) A project implementer who intends to obtain permission to convert a mountainous district to create a forest welfare complex shall not apply the standards prescribed in Article 18 (1) 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8 of the Mountainous Districts Management Act. <Added on Dec. 3, 2019>
(5) The Mountainous Districts Management Act shall apply to the restoration of a converted mountainous district, etc. related to the creation of a forest welfare complex, approval for design plans for restoration, and deposit, etc. of restoration expenses. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
(6) Where the standards for the ecological use of mountainous districts prescribed in Article 31 (2) are different from the standards prescribed in Article 40 when approving a design plan for restoration prescribed in paragraph (5), the standards for the ecological use of mountainous districts shall apply. <Added on Jan. 15, 2019 Mar. 24, 2020>
 Article 39 (Special Cases of Application of State Forest Administration and Management Act)
If necessary to create a forest welfare complex, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may lease a non-permanent state forest or permit the use of a permanent state forest, notwithstanding Article 21 (1) of the State Forest Administration and Management Act. <Amended on Dec. 2, 2016>
 Article 40 (Restrictions on Reclassification of Land within Mountainous Districts)
No forest welfare complex the implementation plan for which has been approved pursuant to Article 35 shall be reclassified into anything other than forest land.
 Article 41 (Access to Land)
(1) If necessary to designate a forest welfare district or to create a forest welfare complex, the relevant public officials or project implementer may enter other persons' land or temporarily use other persons' land as a place for piling up materials, a passage, or a temporary road, and may modify or remove standing timber, bamboos, earth, stones, or other obstacles.
(2) Workers of a specialized institution conducting a fact-finding survey may enter other persons' land, if necessary to conduct the fact-finding survey. <Amended on Jun. 15, 2021>
(3) Articles 130 (2) through (9) and 131 of the National Land Planning and Utilization Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to matters not provided for in this Act concerning access, etc. to land.
 Article 42 (Expropriation of Land)
(1) A project implementer may expropriate or use land, etc., if necessary to create a forest welfare complex.
(2) A public notice of the details of an implementation plan made under Article 35 (4) shall be deemed project approval granted under Article 20 (1) of the Act on Acquisition of and Compensation for Land for Public Works Projects or a public announcement of project approval made under Article 22 of the same Act.
(3) The Central Land Tribunal shall be the competent Land Tribunal having jurisdiction over adjudication on the expropriation or use of land, etc. referred to in paragraph (1).
(4) Where the first public announcement of an implementation plan referred to in Article 35 (4) is made five years after the designation of the relevant forest welfare district is publicly announced pursuant to Article 27 (4), the officially assessed land price shall be the price published at the point of time nearest to the date of the public announcement of the implementation plan under the same paragraph, among the officially assessed land prices published at the point of time for pricing the relevant land, the base date of publication of which is a point of time prior to the date of the public announcement of the implementation plan under the same paragraph.
(5) Where the requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree are satisfied, such as where the price of land to be acquired is deemed fluctuated due to the public announcement of hearing of opinions of residents, etc. referred to in Article 27 (5), the officially assessed land price referred to in Article 70 (1) of the Act on Acquisition of and Compensation for Land for Public Works Projects shall be the price published at the point of time nearest to the date of the public announcement of hearing of opinions of residents, etc. under Article 27 (5) among the officially assessed land prices published at the point of time for pricing the relevant land, the base date of publication of which is a point of time prior to the date of the public announcement of hearing of opinions of residents, etc. under the same paragraph, notwithstanding Article 70 (3) through (5) of the same Act.
(6) Except as provided in this Act, the Act on Acquisition of and Compensation for Land for Public Works Projects shall apply mutatis mutandis to the expropriation or use of land, etc. referred to in paragraph (1).
 Article 43 (Relocation Measures)
(1) A project implementer shall establish and implement relocation measures for persons who are deprived of their base of livelihood by providing land, etc. due to the implementation of a project for creating a forest welfare complex, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(2) Article 78 (2) of the Act on Acquisition of and Compensation for Land for Public Works Projects shall apply mutatis mutandis to the establishment of relocation measures referred to in paragraph (1).
 Article 44 (Discount on or Exemption from Charges)
Any of the following charges imposed on a project for creating a forest welfare complex may be reduced or exempted, or may not be imposed under the relevant statutes:
1. Costs incurred in creating a substitute grassland referred to in Article 23 of the Grassland Act;
2. Farmland preservation charges referred to in Article 38 of the Farmland Act;
3. Development charges referred to in Article 5 of the Restitution of Development Gains Act.
 Article 45 (Prohibition of Sale by Units and Offering of Membership)
No project implementer shall offer membership of a facility for accommodation, etc., among forest welfare facilities on condition of parceling-out thereof or a long-term lease thereon.
 Article 46 (Prohibition of Use of Similar Name)
No one who has failed to obtain approval for an implementation plan under Article 35 shall use a name of forest welfare complex or a similar one thereto.
 Article 47 (Order to Rectify Construction for Creating Forest Welfare Complex)
(1) A project implementer shall undergo investigation conducted by the specialized institution referred to in Article 34 (1) on whether to execute the relevant implementation plan, within six months from the commencement date of construction of the relevant forest welfare complex, and shall submit the results thereof to the Minister of the Korea Forest Service.
(2) In any of the following cases, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may take necessary measures, such as suspension of construction, reconstruction, or relocation of an artificial structure, and a corrective order:
1. Where this Act or other statute is violated when a forest welfare complex is created;
2. Where a forest welfare complex created is different from the one under the implementation plan approved pursuant to Article 35;
3. Where the results of investigation on whether to execute the implementation plan referred to in paragraph (1) are deemed non-compliant with the criteria prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
 Article 48 (Completion Inspection)
(1) Where a project implementer completes a project for creating a forest welfare complex, he or she shall file an application for completion inspection with the Minister of the Korea Forest Service.
(2) Upon receipt of an application for completion inspection under paragraph (1), the Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall issue a certificate of completion to the relevant project implementer, if the relevant project is deemed completed in accordance with the relevant implementation plan for creating a forest welfare complex without delay. In such cases, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service may request public institutions, research institutes, other specialized institutions, etc. to conduct inspections necessary to verify completion for efficient completion inspections. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
(3) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may request the head of a national agency, local government or public institution who is to manage a forest welfare complex included in a request for completion inspections to participate in the completion inspection, and the person in receipt of such request shall comply therewith, except in extenuating circumstances. <Added on Dec. 3, 2019>
(3) In conducting the completion inspection referred to in paragraph (2), the Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall first consult with the head of each related central administrative agency, if any alteration based on authorization, permission, etc. which are deemed constructively granted pursuant to Article 37 (1) has been made to matters related to completion inspection, completion authorization, etc. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
(4) Where the project completed has failed to reflect the relevant implementation plan as a result of the completion inspection referred to in paragraph (2), the Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall require, without delay, the relevant project implementer to take necessary actions, such as complementing the construction. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
(5) Matters necessary for documents, procedures, etc. for the completion inspection referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
CHAPTER V KOREA FOREST WELFARE PROMOTION INSTITUTE
 Article 49 (Establishment of Korea Forest Welfare Promotion Institute)
(1) The Kore Forest Welfare Promotion Institute (hereinafter referred to as the "Promotion Institute") shall be established to facilitate forest welfare services, including the creation and operation of forest welfare complexes.
(2) The Promotion Institute shall be a juristic person and shall be established when it registers its incorporation at the location of its principal office.
(3) No person other than the Promotion Institute shall use the Korea Forest Welfare Promotion Institute or a name similar thereto.
(4) Matters necessary for the standards and procedures for authorizing the establishment of the Promotion Institute, supervision thereof, and other matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 50 (Articles of Incorporation)
(1) The articles of incorporation of the Promotion Institute shall include the following:
1. Objectives;
2. Name;
3. The principal office, branches, and other offices;
4. Executives and employees;
5. The board of directors;
6. Business and execution thereof;
7. Assets and accounting thereof;
8. Modification of the articles of incorporation;
9. Method of public announcements;
10. Enactment, amendment, and abolition of articles or regulations;
11. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree concerning the operation of the Promotion Institute.
(2) Where the Promotion Institute intends to enact or modify the articles of incorporation, it shall obtain authorization for the enactment or modification from the Minister of the Korea Forest Service.
 Article 51 (Executive officers and Employees)
(1) The Promotion Institute shall have executives and necessary employees, as prescribed by the articles of incorporation. <Amended on Jan. 15, 2019>
(2) Article 26 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions and Article 28 of the same Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to the appointment of executives and to the term of office of executive officers, respectively, and the President shall appoint and dismiss employees. <Amended on Jan. 15, 2019>
(3) Deleted. <Jan. 15, 2019>
(4) Deleted. <Jan. 15, 2019>
(5) If deemed necessary for operating the Promotion Institute, the chief director may request the head of a related central administrative agency to have a public official under his or her jurisdiction serve in the Promotion Institute for a specified period.
(6) The period for exchange service referred to in paragraph (5) and other details shall be determined through consultations between the head of the related central administrative agency and the chief director.
 Article 52 (Disqualification for Executive Officers)
No person who falls under any subparagraph of Article 34 (1) or 34 (2) of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions shall be an executive officer of the Promotion Institute.
 Article 53 (Business)
The Promotion Institute shall perform the following: <Amended on May 29, 2016; Jun. 15, 2021>
1. Operation of forest welfare complexes created by the State;
2. Creation and operation of forest welfare facilities;
3. Management, lease, and sale of forest welfare complexes created by the Promotion Institute: Provided, That approval from the Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall be required for the sale.
4. Surveys of and research on forest welfare;
5. Fact-finding surveys for the formulation of promotion plans;
6. Management of forest welfare service vouchers, including issuance of forest welfare service vouchers, and establishment, operation, etc. of an information system;
7. Feasibility study on a forest welfare complex referred to in Article 34 (1);
8. Education and publicity related to revitalization of forest welfare services;
9. Exchanges and cooperation with domestic and foreign forest welfare-related organizations;
9-2. Operation and management of the Green Fund established under Article 58 of the Creation and Management of Forest Resources Act;
10. Business entrusted by the Minister of the Korea Forest Service or by the head of a local government in relation to forest welfare services;
11. Other business designed to revitalize forest welfare services and prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 54 (Support for Persons Alienated from Forest Welfare)
(1) The Promotion Institute may provide persons alienated from forest welfare with daily life assistance, facilities necessary for rehabilitation, etc. and forest welfare services, at forest welfare facilities operated by the Promotion Institute.
(2) Where the Promotion Institute provides facilities or forest welfare services referred to in paragraph (1), the State or a local government shall provide necessary financial support.
(3) Matters necessary for the details, method, etc. of facilities and forest welfare services referred to in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 55 (Operating Expenses of Promotion Institute)
(1) Expenses incurred in operating the Promotion Institute shall be covered by any of the following financial resources:
1. Contributions or subsidies by the Government or persons other than the Government;
2. Proceeds from projects implemented by the Promotion Institute;
4. Donations;
5. Proceeds from projects entrusted or services provided by the State, local governments, or the private sector;
6. Other proceeds.
 Article 56 (Budget and Settlement of Accounts)
(1) The Promotion Institute shall compile total revenue and expenditure in the budget for each business year and obtain approval therefor from the Minister of the Korea Forest Service, and the same shall also apply to any modification to the budget.
(2) Where the Promotion Institute intends to obtain approval under paragraph (1), it shall submit a budget bill to the Minister of the Korea Forest Service no later than 20 days before the commencement of a new fiscal year.
(3) The Promotion Institute shall submit the settlement of accounts, accompanied by the following documents to the Minister of the Korea Forest Service within three months after the end of each fiscal year and finalize the settlement of accounts after obtaining his or her approval therefor:
1. Financial statements (including a written audit opinion by a certified public accountant or accounting corporation) and supplemental schedules;
2. Other documents prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to clarify the details of the settlement of accounts.
(4) Where profits accrue at the settlement of accounts of each fiscal year, the Promotion Institute may first use the profits to offset losses carried forward, and may carry forward the remainder to the following fiscal year or use it for implementing its project with the approval of Minister of the Korea Forest Service. <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018>
 Article 57 (Guidance on and Supervision of Business)
(1) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall provide guidance on and supervision of business of the Promotion Institute specified in each subparagraph of Article 53.
(2) Matters necessary for guidance on and supervision of the Promotion Institute by the Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 58 (Application Mutatis Mutandis of Civil Act)
Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Act, the provisions of the Civil Act concerning incorporated foundations shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Promotion Institute.
CHAPTER VI SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
 Article 59 (Hearings)
The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall hold a hearing before taking any of the following dispositions:
1. Revocation of the registration of a forest welfare service provider pursuant to Article 11 (1);
2. Deleted; <Feb. 21, 2018>
3. Revocation of the registration of a specialized forest welfare business pursuant to Article 22 (1);
4. Cancelation the designation of a forest welfare district pursuant to Article 29 (1) 2;
5. Revocation of approval of a creation plan pursuant to Article 33 (4);
6. Revocation of approval of an implementation plan pursuant to Article 36.
 Article 60 (Fees)
Any of the following persons shall pay a fee to the Minister of the Korea Forest Service, as prescribed by Ministerial Decree of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs:
1. A person who files an application for registration of a forest welfare service provider pursuant to Article 10 (2);
2. Deleted; <Feb. 21, 2018>
3. A person who files an application for a specialized forest welfare business pursuant to Article 21 (1);
4. A person who files an application for approval of a creation plan pursuant to Article 33 (1);
5. A person who files an application for approval of an implementation plan pursuant to Article 35 (1);
6. A person who files an application for a completion inspection pursuant to Article 48 (1).
 Article 61 (Delegation and Entrustment of Authority)
(1) Part of the authority of the Minister of the Korea Forest Service under this Act may be delegated to the head of an institution under his or her jurisdiction, a Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(2) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service may have the Korea Forest Conservation Association referred to in Article 46 of the Mountainous Districts Management Act or the Promotion Institute implement a project or business under this Act on his or her behalf, or entrust such project or business thereto as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(3) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service or the head of a local government may require a person who has registered a specialized forest welfare business pursuant to Article 21 (1) to provide forest welfare services on his or her behalf, where necessary to efficiently provide forest welfare services. <Added on Dec. 3, 2019>
[Title Amended on Dec. 3, 2019]
 Article 62 (Legal Fiction as Public Officials in Application of Penalty Provisions)
The following persons shall be deemed public officials for the purposes of applying penalty provisions referred to in Articles 127 and 129 through 132 of the Criminal Act: <Amended on Jan. 15, 2019>
1. Members of the Committee who are not public officials;
2. Executive officers and employees of the Promotion Institute.
 Article 63 (Prohibition of Divulgence of Secrets)
None of the following persons shall divulge any secret they learned in the course of performing their duties pursuant to this Act: <Amended on Feb. 21, 2018>
1. A current or former forest welfare service provider;
2. A current or former employee of a forest welfare service provider;
3. A current or former employee of a specialized institution entrusted with business pursuant to Article 6 (2) or 12 (4).
CHAPTER VII PENALTY PROVISIONS
 Article 64 (Penalty Provisions)
(1) Any of the following persons shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five years or by a fine not exceeding 50 million won:
1. A person who creates and operates a forest welfare complex by obtaining approval for an implementation plan by fraud or other improper means;
2. A person who creates and operates a forest welfare complex without obtaining approval for an implementation plan under Article 35;
3. A person who creates and operates a forest welfare complex without undergoing completion inspection under Article 48.
(2) Any of the following persons shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than three years or by a fine not exceeding 30 million won: <Amended on Dec. 3, 2019>
1. A person who creates or operates an altered forest welfare complex without obtaining approval for alterations to the relevant implementation plan or by obtaining approval therefor by fraud or other improper means, in violation of Article 35 (1);
2. A person who offers membership therein on condition of parceling-out thereof or lease thereon, in violation of Article 45;
3. A person who fails to comply with an order to take actions, such as completing the construction, under Article 48 (5).
(3) Any of the following persons shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding 10 million won:
1. A person that provides forest welfare services without being registered as a forest welfare service provider, in violation of Article 10 (2);
2. A person who engages in a specialized forest welfare business without registering the specialized forest welfare business, in violation of Article 21 (1);
3. A person who transfers or lends a certificate of registration of a specialized forest welfare business to any other person, in violation of Article 21 (2);
4. A person who uses a forest welfare complex or a name similar thereto, in violation of Article 46;
5. A person who fails to comply with an order for suspension of construction, reconstruction or relocation of an artificial structure, or a corrective order under Article 47 (2);
6. A person who divulges any secret he or she learned in the course of performing his or her duties, in violation of Article 63.
 Article 65 (Joint Penalty Provisions)
Where the representative of a corporation, or an agent, employee or any other person employed by a corporation or individual commits any of the offenses under Article 64 in connection with the affairs of the corporation or the individual, not only shall the offender be punished, but also the corporation or the individual shall be punished by a fine prescribed in the relevant provisions: Provided, That the same shall not apply where such corporation or individual has not been negligent in giving due attention and supervision regarding the relevant affairs to prevent such offense.
 Article 66 (Administrative Fines)
(1) Any of the following persons shall be punished by an administrative fine not exceeding 10 million won:
1. A person who disobeys a business suspension order under Article 11 (1);
2. A person who uses “Korea Forest Welfare Institute” or similar in his or her title, in violation of Article 49 (3).
(2) Any of the following persons shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding five million won: <Amended on Dec. 27, 2022>
1. A person who fails to assign a forest welfare expert to relevant facilities under Article 20 (1) (excluding persons subject to the penalty surcharge under Article 11-2);
2. A person who disobeys a business suspension order under Article 22 (1);
3. A person who rejects the use, etc. by a forest welfare service voucher user without just cause, in violation of Article 25 (2);
4. A person who disobeys an instruction or order given under Article 26 (1);
5. A person who interferes with or rejects any activity under Article 41 (1) without good cause.
(3) The administrative fines prescribed in paragraph (1) or (2) shall be imposed and collected by the Minister of the Korea Forest Service, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2020]
ADDENDA <Act No. 13255, Mar. 27, 2015>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force one year after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Preparation for Establishment of Promotion Institute)
(1) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall organize an establishment committee for the Korea Forest Welfare Promotion Institute (hereinafter referred to as the "establishment committee") by commissioning not more than seven incorporators within 30 days from the date of promulgation of this Act in order to conduct affairs on the establishment of the Promotion Institute.
(2) The establishment committee shall prepare the articles of incorporation of the Promotion Institute, affix the incorporators' names and seals or signatures thereto and then obtain authorization therefor from the Minister of the Korea Forest Service.
(3) Upon receiving the authorization referred to in paragraph (2), the establishment committee shall register, without delay, the incorporation of the Promotion Institute under joint signatures.
(4) Upon appointing the chief director of the Promotion Institute, the establishment committee shall transfer its affairs to him/her.
(5) Upon completing the transfer of the affairs referred to in paragraph (4), the establishment committee and incorporators shall be deemed dissolved or dismissed.
Article 3 (Special Cases concerning Forest Welfare Complexes)
(1) An area with multiple forest welfare facilities which has been or is being created lawfully under other Acts at the time this Act enters into force and which is recognized by the Minister of the Korea Forest Service as complying with the principles of creating forest welfare complexes referred to in Article 30 shall be deemed a forest welfare complex under this Act.
(2) An area with forest welfare facilities which is in the process of being created before this Act enters into force in a comprehensive development zone of an underdeveloped area in the Baekdudaegan region, Gyeongsangbuk-do pursuant to Article 5 of the Special Act on the Promotion of Development Investments in Underdeveloped Areas (referring to the Act which was enforced before being repealed pursuant to Article 2 of the Addenda to the Regional Development Assistance Act (Act No. 12737)) shall be deemed a forest welfare complex operated by the Promotion Institute.
(3) The Minister of the Korea Forest Service shall undergo prior deliberation by the Committee to recognize whether the relevant area complies with the principles of creating forest welfare complexes referred to in paragraph (1).
Article 4 (Transitional Measures following Establishment of Promotion Institute)
(1) The Korea Forest Welfare and Culture Foundation established pursuant to Article 34-2 of the Forestry Culture and Recreation Act shall be deemed dissolved at the time the Promotion Institute completes the registration of its incorporation pursuant to Article 2 (3) of the Addenda, notwithstanding the provisions of the Civil Act concerning the dissolution and liquidation of a juristic person.
(2) All of the affairs, rights, obligations and property of the Korea Forest Welfare and Culture Foundation shall be generally succeeded by the Promotion Institute simultaneously upon its establishment.
(3) The value of property to be transferred to the Promotion Institute pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be the book value on the day immediately preceding the date of succession.
(4) A register or other official book prepared in the name of the Korea Forest Welfare and Culture Foundation shall be deemed prepared in the name of the Promotion Institute.
(5) Activities performed by or for the Korea Forest Welfare and Culture Foundation before the establishment of the Promotion Institute shall be deemed activities performed by or for the Promotion Institute.
(6) Employees of the Korea Forest Welfare and Culture Foundation shall be deemed hired as employees of the Promotion Institute on the date of registration of its incorporation.
Article 5 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 13797, Jan. 19, 2016>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force one year after the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 through 11 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 14269, May 29, 2016>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force two months after the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 through 4 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 14357, Dec. 2, 2016>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 14480, Dec. 27, 2016>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 14532, Jan. 17, 2017>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force one year after the date of its promulgation: Provided, That among the Acts amended under Article 6 of the Addenda, amendments to an Act, which was promulgated before this Act enters into force but the date on which it enters into fore has yet to arrive, shall enter into force on the enforcement date of the relevant Act.
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 14839, Jul. 26, 2017>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That among the Acts amended under Article 5 of the Addenda, amendments to an Act, which was promulgated before this Act enters into force but the date on which it enters into fore has yet to arrive, shall enter into force on the enforcement date of the relevant Act.
Articles 2 through 6 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 14912, Oct. 24, 2017>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force one year after the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 and 3 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 15393, Feb. 21, 2018>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 and 3 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 15394, Feb. 21, 2018>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 through 6 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 15395, Feb. 21, 2018>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 22-2 shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Applicability to Association of Promotion Plan)
The amended provisions of Article 5 (3) shall apply, beginning with the first promotion plan to be formulated or amended after this Act enters into force.
Article 3 (Applicability to Authorization, Permission, etc. Deemed Granted)
The amended provisions of Article 37 (1) 30 shall apply, beginning with the implementation plan or an amendment thereto first approved after this Act enters into force.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 16231, Jan. 15, 2019>
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 62 shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation, and the amended provisions of Article 19 shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 16568, Aug. 27, 2019>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force one year after the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 through 16 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 16712, Dec. 3, 2019>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Composition of Members of the Committee)
When commissioning or recommending members after this Act enters into force, if they fail to meet the requirements prescribed in the amended provisions of Article 8 (3) (excluding reappointment), members of a specific gender shall be commissioned or recommended until the requirements prescribed in the same amended provisions are met.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 17095, Mar. 24, 2020>
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 17171, Mar. 31, 2020>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force one year after the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 18262, Jun. 15, 2021>
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 19116, Dec. 27, 2022>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Article shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Applicability to Imposition of Penalty Surcharges)
The amended provisions of Article 11-2 shall also apply where the business suspension is to be ordered pursuant to Article 11 (1) 3, 4, or 7 as a forest welfare service provider falls under the same paragraph, but no such business suspension is imposed on the relevant violation before this Act enters into force.
ADDENDA <Act No. 19117, Dec. 27, 2022>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Article shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 and 3 Omitted.