Korea Policy Now

South Korea Launches Pilot Operation of the “East-West Trail,” a 244km Forest Path for Backpackers South Korea has officially announced the pilot opening of its long-distance forest trail, the East-West Trail — a 244-kilometer hiking route designed for backpacking and nature immersion. Beginning on October 15 , outdoor enthusiasts can reserve 17 trail sections through the Forest Trip website ( Soom-nadeul e ), marking a historic step toward developing Korea’s first national long-distance backpacking system. 🌲 What Is the East-West Trail? The East-West Trail (Dongseo Trail) is one of the most ambitious eco-tourism projects ever initiated by the Korea Forest Service (KFS) . Stretching from Taean County in South Chungcheong Province to Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province , the complete trail covers 55 sections and a total of 849 kilometers . As of 2025, 17 sections spanning 244 kilometers have been fully constructed and opened for pilot operation. The Ea...

2025 Ecosystem Services Satisfaction Survey | Ulsan Ranks 1st, Biodiversity Policy Shows Clear Results ⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 8-10 minutes | 📅 Last Updated: October 14, 2025 | 👥 Views: 1,247 📢 Advertisement 2025 Ecosystem Services Satisfaction Survey Results Announced | Ulsan Takes 1st Place, Biodiversity Policy Success Clear 💡 Key Message In the 2025 Ecosystem Services satisfaction survey, Ulsan ranked first with 64.7%, and national satisfaction with biodiversity policies increased by 11.9 percentage points compared to 2022! The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, along with the National Institute of Ecology, has released remarkable results from an ecosystem services satisfaction survey conducted among 7,106 adults nationwide. Public perception of natural environment benefits has significantly improved, with Ulsan's ecological restoration achievements standing out prominently. Ecosystem services refer to all benefits that natural e...