Present Page Name

Participation and cooperation

Regional Community Cooperation Program

• Local Resident Support Program

  - The Korea National Park Service implemented a local resident support program focused on social overhead capital such as construction of new roads for local residents inconvenienced by the national park. However, since 2008, the organization has been implementing other types of local resident support programs aimed at improving the welfare and living environment of local residents after establishing a separate fund for such activities.

• Park Management Conference

  - Since 2005, the Korea National Park Service has been hosting the Park Management Conference twice a year with the participation of the representatives of local residents, local autonomous government, religious organizations, related government offices, social organizations, and schools in order to help them understand its park management policies, provide them with an opportunity to participate in the programs, and listen to their opinions.

• Partnership Program based on Participation and Cooperation

  The Korea National Park Service established a mutual and sisterhood relationship with businesses, related government offices, and universities to ensure mutual benefits and growth through the full participation of related parties and local community in park management. The organization is currently strengthening the cooperation system aimed at ensuring mutual growth in many different areas such as joint resources study, nature protection activities, and regional economic promotion.

• Volunteer Service Program

  The Korea National Park Service’s volunteer service policy is aimed at offering local residents and visitors a chance to take part in national park management activities, and help them better understand the value of national parks in terms of nature, history, and cultural heritage. Various volunteer service programs are offered at each of the national parks according to the characteristics of the national park. They recruit volunteers through public notices, and currently there are over 200 volunteers at the national parks who are experts in different areas.

International Exchange and Support

• International Certification Program for National Parks

  - Starting with Seoraksan Mountain in 2005, the Korea National Park Service has changed the category of five national parks (Odaesan Mountain, Jirisan Mountain, Sobaeksan Mountain, Woraksan Mountain) from V to II after the National Assembly, academia, and non-government organizations have pointed out that there are no internationally recognized national park in Korea. The organization is strengthening the relationship with foreign organizations with the goal of changing the category of more than 60% of the national parks by 2012.

• Participation and Hosting of International Conferences for Information Sharing and Management of Conservation Areas

  - The Korea National Park Service hosted the National Park 2040 International Symposium and participated in three international conferences on environment in 2008 to share information on protection zones, while also building an international cooperative system.

• MOU with Foreign Park Management Authorities

  - The Korea National Park Service signed an MoU with park management authorities in Costa Rica, Finland, New Zealand, and Australia, and implemented a number of mutual exchange programs such as exchange of park management status and policies and staff workshop.