Republic of Korea - Overview

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

The ecosystems in Korea include forests, mountains, freshwater ecosystems, coastal and marine areas and agricultural ecosystems. The forests in Korea are mainly coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests. A total of 29,916 species are reported including: 18,117animals; 8,271 plants; 1,625 fungi; 736 protista and 1,167 prokaryotes... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

There are 1,119 protected areas of 14 types in the country. There are 20 national parks and 16 wetland-protected areas. In addition, there are two Biosphere Reserves and 5 Ramsar sites. The total area covered by protected areas is 1,562,144ha, but some protected areas are over designated.

Percentage of Forest Cover

The total forest area covers 6,394,000ha, accounting for 64% of the total land area of the country.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Korea’s National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) contains strategies for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and capacity building. The strategy for biodiversity conservation includes monitoring and identification of biodiversity components; in-situ and ex-situ conservation; control of threatening activities; and ecosystem rehabilitation... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Korea intends to increase by 5% its conservation areas (in comparison to the year 2004). The country is establishing a national ecosystem network by increasing the number of natural parks, ecosystem preservation areas, natural monument areas, wild life conservation areas, wetland protected areas, and marine conservation areas... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

A number of research activities are being implemented, such as those on sustainable use, natural habitats, endangered species distribution and ecological map grading. A number of ecological conservation areas have been designated and expanded, including ecosystem preservation zones, wetland protected areas, natural conservation reserves, natural parks and some islands... More »

Initiatives in Access and Benefit Sharing

A few existing laws contain provisions relating to the sharing of benefits derived from the use of genetic resources, such as rural development laws, basic laws on agriculture and rural areas, and pasture and livestock laws. There is an ongoing process to establish a new law on the conservation, management and utilization of agricultural genetic resources, which is for governing access and benefit sharing... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

Korea’s law on agriculture and rural areas contains provisions that protect traditional knowledge and encourage the participation of local communities in policy making related to traditional knowledge. This law also promotes the active participation of female farmers.

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Ms. Ggochnim Bak	CBD Primary NFP
Mr. Donghwan Choi	CBD Primary NFP
Ms. Giwon Seo	CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP, Protected Areas NFP, GTI NFP, Resource Mobilization FP, GSPC NFP
Mr. Jin Han Kim	SBSTTA NFP, GTI NFP, GSPC NFP
National Institute of Biological Resources	CHM NFP
Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)	CHM NFP
Mr. Chang Ho Shin	GTI NFP
Mr. Sung-sik Kim	GSPC NFP
Won-young Choi	CHM Informal Advisory Committee

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Ms. Ggochnim Bak	Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP
Mr. Ho-Min Jang	BCH NFP