Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Mercedes-Benz CSR Committee expands eco-friendly activities
The Boramae Park GREEN+ Urban Forest in Seoul / Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz CSR committee
By Lee Min-hyung
The Mercedes-Benz Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee is expanding its eco-friendly initiatives through its flagship projects on urban forest creation and restoration in areas affected by wildfires, the organization said Wednesday.
The Boramae Park Green+ Urban Forest is the seventh urban forest developed under the Green Plus Urban Forest Project launched in 2022 under a partnership between the committee and the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
The primary purpose of the project is to improve the urban environment and address climate challenges, the committee said. It has so far established seven urban forests across Seoul.
Covering approximately 1,200 square meters within Boramae Park, the newest forest features 3,127 trees and shrubs with strong carbon-reduction benefits. They include mock orange and spirea. The space also has resting areas for citizens to relax comfortably in nature.
Recognized for its contribution to public green spaces, the urban forest at Boramae Park received a corporate partnership award at the 2025 Seoul International Garden Show. The award is given to individuals or organizations that have contributed to urban greening.
The project was praised highly for linking CSR with urban landscaping and offering participatory programs for children and the firm’s employees.
The committee also continues to support forest restoration in wildfire-affected regions. It recently teamed up with the regional government in North Gyeongsang Province, with both sides agreeing to promote public-private cooperation in reforestation efforts there.
In March, the committee donated 500 million won ($337,700) to restore damaged forests in the region.
It is not the first time the committee has supported reforestation projects here. In 2022, it provided one billion won to restore areas affected by major wildfires in Gangwon Province and North Gyeongsang Province.
The committee launched its eco-friendly campaign in 2021, in a display of its strong commitment to carbon neutrality. Under the project, the committee has so far planted more than 33,000 trees nationwide, delivering estimated annual carbon reduction of 83,500 tons.
The Mercedes-Benz CSR Committee plans to keep working with local communities to project the environment and build a sustainable, eco-friendly future for generations to come, it said.