Seoul, Republic of Korea – 24 July 2026 – The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), KT&G and the Korea Forest Service (KFS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation on forest fire affected areas in the Republic of Korea. The signing ceremony was held at KT&G seoul office in Seoul, marking the beginning of a five year partnership (2026–2030).
The partnership builds upon the ongoing collaboration between AFoCO and KT&G in advancing forest restoration initiatives across Asia, including forest fire restoration projects in Kazakhstan and mangrove restoration efforts in Indonesia. With the establishment of this trilateral partnership among AFoCO, KT&G, and the KFS, the collaboration will be extended to forest fire affected areas in the Republic of Korea. By bringing together the expertise and resources of an international organization, the private sector, and a public institution, this partnership aims to establish an exemplary model for forest restoration and climate resilient forest management.
(From left) Lim Hasu, Vice Minister of the Korea Forest Service (KFS); Jin Sunpil, Vice Executive Director of AFoCO; and Lee Sanghak, Executive Vice President of KT&G.
Under the MOU, AFoCO and KT&G will restore approximately 15 hectares of national forests affected by forest fires between 2026 and 2030. The project includes the planting of approximately 75,000 broadleaf and coniferous trees selected to suit local ecological conditions. Going beyond forest restoration, the initiative aims to create fire resilient forests that can better adapt to increasing forest fire risks.
Areas of Joint Action
- Forest Restoration and Climate Action: Restoration of forests damaged by forest fires, while advancing forest-based climate action and ecosystem recovery.
- Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Forest Management: Promotion of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development initiatives through forest restoration activities.
- Partnerships and ESG Engagement: Strengthening cooperation with partners and promoting social value through forest based ESG activities.
By combining AFoCO’s regional expertise in forest cooperation, KFS’s technical leadership in national forest management, and KT&G’s commitment to sustainable corporate practices, the partnership is expected to serve as a model for public-private collaboration in advancing resilient forest landscapes and sustainable development in Asia.
AFoCO
Jin Sunpil, Vice Executive Director
“This partnership reflects the shared commitment of diverse stakeholders to advancing forest restoration through collective action. AFoCO will continue to serve as a bridge among partners across sectors and regions, and we will promote solutions that deliver meaningful benefits for forests, communities, and climate resilience.”
KT&G
Lee Sanghak, Executive Vice President
“This agreement holds great significance as it brings together the private sector, public institutions, and international organizations to collaborate on forest restoration and environmental conservation. We will continue to contribute to the creation of sustainable forest ecosystems in the Republic of Korea and advance meaningful ESG practices through tangible actions.”
KFS
Lim Hasu, Vice Minister
“This agreement is highly meaningful as it goes beyond the restoration of forest fire damaged areas and represents a model that recognizes forests as natural capital and connects forest restoration efforts with corporate ESG management. We will continue to expand diverse collaborative initiatives to promote private sector investment in natural capital.”
Following Next Step
As an initial step under this partnership, efforts will begin to restore forests in Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, an area that has experienced significant damage from forest fires. The restoration initiative, planned for 2026–2027, will rehabilitate approximately 6 hectares of forest affected by forest fires through the planting of around 30,000 trees.
The restoration activities will take place during the fall planting season of 2026 and the spring planting season of 2027, in accordance with the ecological conditions of the project site. The initiative will also include volunteer tree planting activities with KT&G employees, which will provide opportunities for corporate members to actively participate in forest restoration.
Contributed by Young Kim, Assistant Program Officer, Climate Cooperation Division