Korea long ago designated Arbor Day and achieved the miracle of national reforestation. Now it is time for Arbor Day to expand its meaning beyond simply "a day to plant trees" to "a day to prepare for a sustainable future." Building on the capacity that transformed a barren land into a world-class forest nation through the participation of the entire population over the past 80 years, we need public efforts and forest policies that mount a full-scale response to the climate crisis.
Forests, which cover approximately 63% of Korea's land area, have established themselves as a core carbon sink for responding to the climate crisis and a vital foundation sustaining public life. Forests do not merely absorb carbon dioxide. They provide clean air and water and faithfully serve as daily living infrastructure that protects citizens' everyday lives through reducing fine dust, mitigating heat waves and recharging water resources.
Today, the meaning of Arbor Day carries a different weight than in the past. Now that the climate crisis has become reality, planting trees is the surest action to achieve carbon neutrality. Korea's forests play a particularly important role in meeting the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets. Creating healthy forests and managing them systematically is the most effective and sustainable way to respond to the climate crisis.
In step with these demands of the times, the Korea Forest Service has designated this year as the "inaugural year of nationwide tree planting" and is actively promoting a tree-planting campaign together with the public. To spread tree planting beyond a mere event into everyday practice, the agency plans to expand participation opportunities centered on local communities and living areas. It will continue to increase urban forests and neighborhood forests so that every citizen can enjoy forests close to home.
Furthermore, the time has come for a qualitative transformation that goes beyond simply planting more trees. The Korea Forest Service is creating forests centered on species with high carbon absorption capacity and strong resistance to climate change. Forests that have reached the timber harvest stage are being harvested and utilized at the appropriate time, while unhealthy forests are being converted into healthy ones through species renewal. Through this approach, the agency aims to establish a virtuous cycle of forest resources — "plant, nurture and use."
In particular, now is the time to think beyond "planting" to "utilizing well." Wood is an eco-friendly resource that stores carbon over long periods and a future resource used across diverse fields including construction, energy and materials industries. Expanding the use of domestically produced timber and promoting wood-frame construction will accelerate the realization of carbon neutrality while creating a foundation for new industries and jobs. Properly nurturing forests and fully utilizing their value is the path to simultaneously enhancing both the public benefit and economic value of forests. Moreover, expanded wood utilization can make a substantive contribution to addressing the climate crisis through its carbon storage effect.
Tree planting is only complete when the entire nation participates. Arbor Day was able to take root in our society over many years precisely because of the participation of each and every citizen. When small acts of planting and caring for trees in daily life come together, our forests will grow healthier and lead to a sustainable future.
A single tree we plant today is not merely a plant but a hope for future generations. Just as the miracle of national reforestation was achieved by the power of the people, the new forests of the climate crisis era must also be built together with the public. On this Arbor Day, I hope the spirit of planting and cherishing trees will spread throughout our society. The change that starts with a single tree will make Korea's future greener and healthier.