Korea Forest Service eases forest education rules in population-decline areas

The revised enforcement decree gives training institutions for forest education specialists in population-decline areas two years, rather than one, to launch professional forest education courses after designation.

Corrective orders or cancellation can apply only after an institution in those areas has failed to open a course within two years or to operate as a training institution for two years. Institutions outside population-decline areas remain subject to the one-year deadlines.

The Forest Service proposed the change following a regulatory review under the Framework Act on Administrative Regulations.

The decree also broadens eligibility for designation: nonprofit corporations and nonprofit civic groups need not have been established specifically for forest education if it is among their organizational purposes, and universities in any academic field can seek designation as forest education centers.

Facility standards were also relaxed: classrooms must provide at least 1 square meter but no longer need to accommodate 50 people; reading areas must retain 200 forest-related books but no longer require 10 seats.