• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.1
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• pp.186-200
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to provide the basic data necessary for stakeholders to establish and promote policies related to the national forest trail. Awareness analysis was conducted on 800 visitors to the national forest trail, specifically to the Jirisan trail and Daegwallyeong forest trail, as well as 1,200 members of the public. Awareness of the national forest trail was low and at a similar level for both visitors and the general public; however, compared with the general public, the visitors had a higher need for the national forest trail system and were willing to visit and recommend the trail. The most common answers in response to the purpose of visit, reason for choosing the national trail, matters of interest, problems, necessary regulation, and role expectations were similar among the visitors and general public. Based on gender and age, there was a significant difference in the matters of interest and desired activity, but "scenery" was the most crucial factor. Therefore, after a comprehensive survey on the major view points, given that "scenery" was identified as an attractor, a system should be developed to identify and provide the information desired by visitors and the general public. These results are expected to be employed as basic data for stakeholders in decision making related to the national forest trail.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.2
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• pp.170-186
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• 2024

This study was conducted to identify the usage characteristics of the DMZ Punchbowl Trail (DPT) as a national forest trail (NFT) and to estimate its ripple effects on the local economy. The objective of this study is to provide policy implications for sustainable operational management. Out of the 500 questionnaires distributed, 215 respondents provided their complete travel itineraries and expenditures. The respondents, mainly aged 50 and above and residing in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, spend 3.5 hours of travel time to the DPT. Together with their families, the respondents typically spend approximately 4 hours for leisurely activities, primarily appreciation of scenic views and relaxation by visiting the "O-yubatgil." Furthermore, they extend their travels to other parts of Gangwon Province, where the DPT is situated. Within Gangwon Province, Yanggu County is the most visited destination. The respondents reported a notably higher average expenditure per visitor compared with the typical local walking tourists. Estimates show that the DPT generates an annual average of KRW 2.1 billion in direct expenditure (based on an average of 10,000 visitors for over five years), KRW 2.8 billion in production, and KRW 1.3 billion in added value, and it has created 40 jobs in Gangwon Province. The results of this study lies in empirically determining the specific economic scale and ripple effects of DPT as an NFT in the major sector, which occupies a significant portion of the Gangwon Province's local economy. The results will be instrumental in validating NFT policies and informing policy making for sustainable forest utilization.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.676-683
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• 2022

Due to the effects of rapid changes in the living environment since 2000 and the recent unforeseen pandemic, people are refraining from domestic and international traveling and movement, and outdoor activities for health and the public value of forest trails, called Dullegil Trail in Korea, have become more important. This study estimated the environmental value of the tentatively named "East-West Trail," which connects the forest trails crossing Chungcheong and Gyeongsang Provinces using CVM (Contingent Valuation Method). It surveyed visitors to the East-West Trail, and 725 questionnaires were used for analysis. The average characteristics of respondents were those who exercised 2-3 times per week, visited a forest trail not far from their residence with friends or family, and showed a tendency to spend 50 thousand Korean won or more per visit. Visitors to the Dullegil Trail felt that there was a shortage of information boards on the forest trail, and they preferred a shelter in appropriate locations. We used a double-bounded dichotomous choice (BDDC) logit model proposed by Hanemann to measure the conservation value of the East-West Trail. It was estimated that the environmental value that a visitor to the East-West Trail could obtain was 30,087 won per trip. The estimated environmental value of the East-West Trail can be converted to about 94 billion won total visitors annually based on the population belonging to the direct-use zone near the East-West Trail. As there has been no study on the environmental value of forest trails using CVM, the results of this study will be able to suggest the feasibility of the government policies on forest trails.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.2
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• pp.230-247
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• 2023

This study was conducted on migrants in 5 cities and counties near the Jirisan Dulle-gil Trail, designated as a National Forest Trail, to find out how the National Forest Trail affects the quality of life after migrants from urban to mountain villages. The group that used the Jirisan Dulle-gil Trail before and/or after the migration showed higher levels of impact on the migration decision, life satisfaction, and behavioral intention than the group that did not use the trail. The group that was affected by the Jirisan Dulle-gil Trail in deciding on the migration also showed higher usage satisfaction with the Jirisan Dulle-gil Trail, life satisfaction, satisfaction with the migration, and behavioral intention than the unaffected group. There were also significant differences in the quality of life according to the migration area, location satisfaction among the migration satisfaction levels, and behavioral intention. In conclusion, it was confirmed that the Jirisan Dulle-gil Trail plays an important role in the decision to migrate to mountain villages and the quality of life after the migration. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data to present policies related to National Forest Trails that can contribute to the development of mountain villages and countermeasures against population extinction in mountain villages.