Free transfer of state-owned forest products to public sector begins Thursday, aiming to expand domestic timber use and advance carbon neutrality
The Korea Forest Service is launching a free-transfer program for domestically produced timber to the public sector, aiming to expand its use and contribute to carbon neutrality.
The agency said Thursday it is implementing a revised version of the Act on the Management of State Forests — commonly known as the State Forest Act — which it amended to expand domestic timber use and establish a stronger institutional foundation for the timber industry.
The Korea Forest Service revised the State Forest Act in April as part of its forestry strategy to achieve the country's nationally determined contribution targets and reach carbon neutrality by 2050, promoting domestically produced timber as a carbon storage resource.
Under the revised law, national agencies and forestry-sector public institutions will be able to receive domestic timber free of charge for use in research and development related to timber-frame construction and pilot timber-building projects, with the expectation that they will play a leading role in advancing the industry.
"We will spare no institutional support so that the public sector can lead the way in expanding domestic timber use, driving demand and contributing not only to the timber industry but also to achieving the country's greenhouse gas reduction targets," Korea Forest Service Commissioner Park Eun-sik said.
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
