Says President Koo of Korea Forestry Promotion Institute
By Feature Editor Lee Sam-sun
“We are a semi-governmental agency of the Republic of Korea committed to disseminating forestry science and technologies and to increasing the income of people in the forestry business by creating higher added value of the forestry and forest industries.” This statement was made by President Koo Gilbon of the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute (KOFPI) at his office in Seoul on May 22, 2020.
Speaking an interview with The Korea Post Media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language publications since 1985, Koo then stated that as a “global forestry service agency dedicated to creating the future value of forests,” his Institute has been developing the forestry industry with focus on the core values of co-existence, future, and cleanliness.
“By creating new jobs and generating income through the industrialization of forestry and forest businesses,” he said, “we try to contribute to the development of the economy of Korea while providing excellent forest products of high quality and sharing information on forests and forestry.”
“Furthermore,” he said, “KOFPI contributes to the sustainable growth of forests by conducting systematic forest monitoring, protecting forests from pests and diseases, revitalizing the forest carbon offset system, developing global forest resources.”
Then he assured that he will continue to try to expand the base of the forestry industry and promoting its development, and will do its utmost to earn the trust of people in the forestry business and the public by promoting fair and transparent business management, with the aim of becoming the world’s best agency specializing in forestry services.
The main business activities of KOFPI, as a professional institute committed to creating new future value, is to provide best forestry services.
Specifically, according to President Koo, KOFPI was established as a semi-governmental agency to promote the industrialization and commercialization of forest science technologies, increase the income of persons working in the forestry business, and create high value added in the forestry and forest industry.
In a detailed account, the activities also include development of overseas forestry resources and international cooperation on forestry, and operation and management of the forest carbon offset system.
Creation of forestry jobs and finding/fostering forestry-based social economic companies is also included in the activities of KOFPI.
Also included in the main activities and operations of KOFPI are the promotion of commercialization of forestry R&D results and transfer of technologies, Korea forest certification systems such as certification of forest management, and certification of production/distribution of forest products.
KOFPI has a long string of important activities and among them also are information service on forest management and production and distribution of forest products.
Quality control of special forest products including wild simulated ginseng is also included in the activities of the organization as well as tests, analysis, appraisal and technical support on forestry.
KOFPI also supports training foresters and design evaluation of surveys of forest resources.