• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.2
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• pp.330-344
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• 2022

While deforestation and forest degradation has continued globally, global society has been making efforts to prevent deforestation towards sustainable development. Reforestation in developing countries is linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as climate change mitigation, conservation of biodiversity, eradication of poverty and upholding of human rights. Forest official development assistance (ODA) restores the global forest land, and increases the public benefit. Bilateral forest ODA projects of the Republic of Korea have gradually increased and most of those projects have currently been concentrated in Asian countries. Selecting recipient countries for forest ODA requires more comprehensive approach since the global goals for sustainable development has been widely adapted to ODA strategic plans. We proposed potentially promising countries that are eligible for receiving 'Green ODA' in perspective of economic, social and environment to implement reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+), conserving biodiversity, and combating desertification. As a result, the study suggests that forestry cooperation could be expanded from Asian countries more toward South America and African countries. In addition, we emphasized the need to promote convergence and integration with green technology to fundamentally solve the negative impacts of deforestation such as food, energy, water resource shortages, and forest fires. We advocated expanding bilateral ODA in the forestry sector through diversification of project activities, financial sources, and participants. Our study can contribute to the provision of basic information for establishing long-term strategies to expand bilateral cooperation in the forestry sector.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.1083-1096
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• 2020

Global attention to the greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation is increasing. There is a growing recognition of reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation plus (REDD+) as an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the forestry sector. The Republic of Korea is implementing REDD+ pilot projects in four Southeast Asian countries as part of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluates countries with the potential to become priority partner countries for Korea's REDD+ programs, using the following five criteria: The first criterion is that a country should include the forest sector and REDD+ in its national plan for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The second and third criteria refer to an average forest coverage rate of over 44% and a forest change rate of over - 0.1%, among the countries with forest cover of more than 10 million ha. The fourth criterion is that the country should meet the Forest Reference Emission Level requirements, one of the four elements of the Warsaw REDD+ Framework. The fifth criterion is that the country should have bilateral relations with the Republic of Korea in forestry while at the same time be a partner country for cooperation on climate change as well as a REDD+ pilot country. Based on our evaluation, we conclude that the first priority countries are Indonesia, Cambodia, and Myanmar. The second priority countries include Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. Finally, the third priority countries are Columbia, Congo, and Mozambique. This study suggests that for the selection of priority partner countries, Korean REDD+ programs should center on existing REDD+ pilot countries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.109 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 2020

Central Asia has great growth potential for cooperation as the Korean Official Development Assistance (ODA) program expands and diversifies. In the case of the forest sector, Korea's successful greening experience has attracted interest from countries in Central Asia. In particular, the depletion of the Aral Sea and a widespread environmental degradation should motivate regional cooperation as well as highlights the need to establish a multilateral cooperative system. The limitation of existing bilateral cooperation, which is the limitation of South-South cooperation, is underscored by the engagement of new donors or the multilateral cooperation and triangular cooperation of organizations is receiving new attention. In addition, Central Asia is suitable for implementing the basic concepts of triangular cooperation. Korea is able to make complementary regional agreements using friendly partnerships with Kazakhstan (the Emerging Donor) and Uzbekistan (the second South Korean Focus Country of ODA). To reinterpret the basic concept of triangular cooperation, three regional cooperation strategies for Central Asia are proposed in this study: windbreak forest development to guarantee resident settlement, resident income increase, and protection of the Aral Sea from further degradation.