• Spatial Information Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2014

UN-REDD (United Nations programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation in Developing Countries) and AR-CDM (Afforestation/Reforestation-Clean Development Mechanism) is currently being emerged as one of important mechanism to reduce carbon dioxide in relation to the deforestation. Discussion on North Korea as UN-REDD/AR-CDM project target continues with a view to preventing deforestation and to securing CER(certified emission reduction) for South Korea. The forests in Mt. Baekdu are degraded, deforestation is occurred, nevertheless, portion of forested area is still high, where both REDD and AR-CDM investment potential are quite high. Accordingly, this study is intended to explore a simultaneous registration potential to UNREDD/AR-CDM for Mt. Baekdu although separate registration to UN-REDD or AR-CDM has already gained worldwide recognition as a typical method in the process of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) reduction project. The results indicate that selecting UN-REDD or AR-CDM in accordance with sub-watershed forest condition could capture 53.2% more carbon dioxide than REDD alone and 21.9% more than AR-CDM alone. It is anticipated that this research output could be used as a realistic evidence to introduce carbon sequestering project in accordance with sub-watershed forest condition.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.47-58
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• 2014

The credible measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) is among the most critical elements in UN-REDD (United Nations programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation in Developing Countries). This study is intended to explore MRV potential in terms of UN-REDD opportunity cost estimation using satellite image for Mt. Geum-gang of North Korea. A visual interpretation were conducted to evaluate MRV conditions by sub-dividing or decomposing the images with different pixel size into a three types of hierarchical tree structure that helps dealing with spatial variability within each subarea. The permanent record of standard satellite remote sensing system demonstrated its capability of presenting area-wide visual evidences of MRV conditions in Mt. Geum-gang (such as the identification of forested area, degradation trends for forest space, three types of hierarchical land-cover and land use tree structure, carbon density in the landscape). Satellite data could be accepted as legally binding proof when it comes to REDD opportunity cost estimation since several cases exist where remote sensing has been used as legal evidence in ICJ (International Court of Justice) and UN resolution. It doesn't seem very difficult to comply with MRV requirements for UN-REDD opportunity cost calculation due to the probative value of satellite data. It is anticipated that this research output could be used as a valuable reference for Korea-based enterprises exploring REDD project sites and the carbon traders to ensure MRV potentials using satellite image in UN-REDD Opportunity Cost estimation.

• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.77-87
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• 2012

Discussion on North Korea as UN-REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in developing countries) project target continues with a view to preventing deforestation and to securing CER(certified emission reduction) for South Korea. However, due to North Korea's political shutdown, it is hard to acquire information required for the REDD project registration. This research intends to acquire objective data using satellite images in the Mt. Geumgang. More than 20% of entire forested area were disappeared during the past two decades mainly due to conversion into agricultural farming land. Further, it is expected that persistent deforestation will go on. The reduction potential of the carbon emission is estimated as approximately 617,000 tCO2/year~663.000 tCO2/year. Thus, Mt. Geumgang is considered as realistic REDD target, which is attractive to South Korea, given that the obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emission is likely to be imposed upon the country. Further, political and social benefits due to reduced military conflict make Mt. Geumgang as UN-REDD project target invaluable.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.439-454
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• 2013

UN-REDD (United Nations programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) is currently being emerged as one of important mechanism to reduce carbon dioxide in relation to the deforestation. Although administrative boundary has already gained world-wide recognition as a typical method of monitoring unit in the process of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) reduction project, this approach did not provide a realistic evidence in the carbon sequestering monitoring in terms of UN-REDD; the meaningful comparison of land use patterns among watershed boundaries, interpretation for distribution trends of carbon density, calculation of opportunity cost, leakage management, etc. This research proposes a comparative evaluation framework in a more objective and quantitative way for carbon sequestering monitoring between administrative and watershed boundary approaches. Mt. Geumgang of North Korea was selected as a survey objective and an exhaustive and realistic comparison of carbon sequestration between the two approaches was conducted, based on change detection using TM satellite images. It was possible for drainage boundary approach to identify more detailed area-wide patterns of carbon distribution than traditional administrative one, such as estimations of state and trends, including historical trends, of land use / land cover and carbon density in the Mt. Geumgang. The distinctive changing trends in terms of carbon sequestration were specifically identified over the watershed boundary from 4.0% to 34.8% while less than 1% difference was observed in the administrative boundaries, which were resulting in almost 21-22%. It is anticipated that this research output could be used as a valuable reference to support more scientific and objective decision-making in introducing watershed boundary as carbon sequestering monitoring unit.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.425-442
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• 2017

This study analysed the linkage between national forest policy in Korea, namely the $5^{th}$ National Forest Master Plan, 2016 Korea Forest Service Performance Management Plan, the $3^{rd}$ National Sustainable Development Plan, and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 7 strategies of the $5^{th}$ National Forest Master Plan were related to 11 Goals of SDGs, and 5 strategies of 2016 Korea Forest Service Performance Management Plan were associated with 7 areas of SDGs, and 4 strategies within $3^{rd}$ National Sustainable Development Plan were linked to 7 Goals of SDGs. Among 87 national forest indicators compiled from three respective forest-related policies of Korea, 45 national indicators were related to 18 SDGs indicators. This indicates that 52% of national indicators of Korean forest policy are reflecting the language of SDGs. However, seeing from SDGs perspective, only 18 out of 241, which accounts for 7.8% of SDGs indicators are related to national indicators. The findings imply that a number of national forest-related indicators do not meet the diverse dimension of SDGs which provides potential areas for forest to contribute. Based on the findings, following recommendations were suggested: 1) the term used in forest policy should be aligned to SDGs targets so that it can be embedded in national policies, and 2) indicators should be further contextualized as well as in its assessment system. Lastly, it suggests for leveraging 3) '5 Processes of sub-national climate change adaptation plan' and the core concept of REDD+ MRV which could provide fundamental background for implementing SDGs framework to national forest policy.