Korea officially confirms 62,604 species in national biodiversity count

A baby long-tailed goral walks in the snow on Misiryeong, a mountain pass in the county of Inje, Gangwon Province, March 5, 2025. Courtesy of Inje County Office

South Korea now officially recognizes 62,604 species within its borders, up from 61,230 in 2024, according to data released Monday.

The latest National Species List, compiled by the National Institute of Biological Resources, is based on data gathered through the end of 2025.

Compared with the 28,462 native species identified in 1996, the confirmed total has more than doubled. The steady rise reflects the discovery and formal documentation of species that were already present in Korea but previously unknown. Taking the country's total territory into account, experts estimate that the country may host around 100,000 native species in total.

Among the species newly added to the list, 307 were entirely new to science, with their existence confirmed for the first time, according to the organization.

One such discovery is a plant known as “beoteum yangjikkot,” a perennial herb that grows with yellow petals and spreads as its roots extend sideways. It has been confirmed as an endemic species found only in central regions of the country.

Another new species, an invertebrate known as the large-leaf fairy marine worm, has a leaf-shaped tail and lives on sandy beaches along the west coast.

Researchers have also identified several species newly recorded in South Korea, including a tortoise beetle and a vividly colored orange moth. Some of these animals typically inhabit tropical regions such as India and Indonesia, and scientists think their recent appearance in Korea might be linked to climate change and shifting environmental conditions.

“I hope that the National Species List, published annually, will enhance public understanding of biodiversity and support its use across a wide range of fields,” said Yu Ho, director of the institute.