The Development Strategies of Forest Resource and Forest Industries in Korea

Abstract

During the last 3 decades, Korea created 4 million ha of artificial forest; about 50% of these plantation areas remain. As of 1996, total stock volume was estimated at 296 million m³. The average was 50 m³ per ha--much higher than the 1960s figure, 10 m³ per ha. The total stock volume is estimated to be 563 million m³ in 2010. For management of these resources, Korea has formed four forest development plans from 1973 to now. Korea used 25.3 million m³ for the domestic market in 1995. Domestic timber production was about 1 million m³, or about 4% of the domestic market. In 2010, Korea is expected to produce 4.8 million m³ of timber, 16% of an expected 30.7 million m³ domestic market. In 1995, the production of sawn timber, plywood, particleboard and fiberboard was 3.4, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.5 million m³, respectively, and in addition import amounts were 1.0, 1.3, 0.5, 0.1 million m³. The import ratio of these products was 22.8, 56.5, 50.0, 16.7%, respectively. The production of board has increased sharply in the 1990s. The demand of sawn timber, plywood, and boards is expected to be 4.7, 3.0, and 2.2 million m³ in 2010. Recently the sawn timber and plywood industries have been depressed, and the board industry was activated in the 1990s. These trends will continue in the near future.