不発弾、通常と違う方法で処理 半径280メートル避難 長崎・大村

Sim Deok-jin, the "forest owner" in Goseong, Gangwon Province, requested protection for an area encompassing 280 football fields of forest before discussing specific details with reporters. This region, situated at the juncture of Gangwon and Jeongseon counties and flanked by Odaesan National Park, is a critical core area of Gwapyeong-dong's woods.

The area is a mix of private and state-owned forest, where Sim and activists from the Green Union work together to protect the ecosystem. After a few minutes of conversation, the phone signal disappeared, revealing a serene forest with fresh winds and bubbling streams. This area, home to rare and endemic species, was designated as a "forest genetic resource protection zone" after 51 hectares of Sim's privately owned land, plus a portion of the local state-owned forest, were added in December last year and again in July.

This zone is recognized as a "natural ecosystem conservation area" under the Forest Protection Law, aimed at preserving not just a few species, but the entire ecosystem, including rare and endemic flora and fauna. The area was also identified as holding significant biodiversity similar to Odaesan National Park, with a high potential for supporting similar species, including the endangered Amur leopard, a carnivore that calls this region home.

Sim's initiative stands out as the first of its kind in South Korea, where landowners traditionally propose protection zones. His motivation stems from his 30-year experience in the seafood trade, witnessing firsthand the impact of climate change on fish populations and the need to do more to protect biodiversity.