Abstract
This study compared with the object of designation and the management practices for Protection Forests between Korea and Japan to establish the management and development directions of Korea's Protection Forest. 1. Water conservation forest from total areas of Protection Forests occupied 90.6 % in Korea and 68.4 % in Japan, respectively. The water conservation forest was the most important function among the Protection Forest's functions in both countries. 2. The 10 million ha of Protection Forest in Japan increased for last 100 years. The 100 thousand ha per year was designated as Protection Forest. In contrast, The 655,535 ha of Protection Forest in Korea decreased for last 42 years with decreasing of 15,000 ha per year. 3. In Japan, Protection Forest can be managed by forest silvicultural practices such as forest harvest, thinning, and pruning to recover and improve the Protection Forest's functions. 4. In case of Korea, it is necessary to a mid- or long-term counter plan to increase the area of Protection Forest by the government, and needs to the recovery and improvement of Protection Forest's functions.