South Korea - The Korea Times

Moorim Paper accused of devastating Indonesian forests

Excavators and a dump truck work on cleared land in a Papuan forest, Indonesia, in June 2021 for PT PNMP's business to collect wood to produce chips for papermaking. Courtesy of Solution for Our ClimateKorea's second-largest paper manufacturer held responsible by activistsBy Ko Dong-hwanMoorim Paper, Korea's second-largest pulp and paper manufacturer, claims on its website that it “thinks of the environment” by not using wood that comes from illegal deforestation or was genetically modified. It also claims it is the first paper manufacturer in Korea that acquired the Forest Stewardship Council's Chain of Custody (FSC-CoC) certification, which, according to the international organization, assures that products originate from well-managed forests, controlled sources, or reclaimed materials.But according to a report by environmental activists in Korea and Indonesia that was released March 15, the company based in Seoul's Gangnam District has been lying. Using its subsidiary firm PT Plasma Nutfah Marind Papua (PT PNMP) in Indonesia, Moorim has been clearing more than 6,000 he

Mar 15, 2022By Ko Dong-hwan

Moorim Paper accused of devastating Indonesian forests

Election signs to be upcycled to make products for public use

Giant plastic banners of candidates running for the March 9 presidential election are hung in Seoul's Gwanak District, March 3. YonhapBy Lee Hae-rinDiscarded campaign banners that were used during the March 9 presidential election will be recycled and made into products for public use, the government said Sunday.According to the Ministry of Interior and Safety, 22 local governments have been selected to join the carbon-neutral initiative to upcycle or create products of higher quality from recycled placards, posters, and flyers from the latest election into reusable goods for public use.This is the first government-funded recycling project of election materials, where the participating authorities will receive a maximum of 10 million won ($ 8,059) from the ministry. The selected local authorities will work with businesses and artists to turn plastic waste from the election into reusable bags, umbrellas, farming tents, and cement materials. They will be distributed to vulnerable social groups such as seniors living alone or displayed for public use at local markets, schools, and city

Mar 14, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Election signs to be upcycled to make products for public use

Firefighters make slow headway as wildfires damage east coast

A Korea Forest Service helicopter participates in firefighting operations to put out a wildfire in Donghae, eastern Korea, March 8. Yonhap Multiple wildfires have charred east coastal mountain areas the size of more than 30,000 soccer fields over the past five days, but firefighting efforts have made slow headway hampered by thick smoke and fickle winds, officials said Tuesday.The firefighting authorities regard Tuesday as a watershed in their all-out efforts to contain the main fires, as the wind direction is forecast to change unfavorably in the afternoon. They initially aimed to extinguish the main fires Monday but were prevented from doing so by thick smoke, fog and other unfavorable weather conditions.The wildfires spurred by high winds amid dry conditions have burned an estimated 21,772 hectares of woodland, the size of 30,493 soccer fields, along the east coastal areas as of 6 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquart

Mar 8, 2022

Firefighters make slow headway as wildfires damage east coast

Animal evacuation, sheltering guidelines needed for wildfires

A pet dog is in a cage after being rescued by domestic animal rights organization Life from a wildfire in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, March 6. Screenshot from Life's InstagramBy Lee Hae-rinAnimal rights groups have rescued over 100 domestic and farm animals that had been left behind by their owners fleeing wildfires in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, raising the need for government guidelines on evacuating and sheltering animals amid disasters. Care, a domestic animal rights group, rescued over 10 dogs that were chained in yards or locked in slaughterhouses, Saturday. The rescued animals are receiving treatment for burns at veterinary clinics in Seoul or under the temporary protection of volunteers, the group said.“In previous disasters, most domestic dogs were left behind chained in their yards and they burned to death. Fortunately, many were unleashed this time and survived the fire,” a Care activist who has been rescuing animals from fires since 2006 told The Korea Times, Monday. “However, it's a different story with farm animals. Many people refused to l

Mar 7, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Animal evacuation, sheltering guidelines needed for wildfires

Wildfire destroys 50 homes, prompts thousands to evacuate

A wildfire that broke out in the eastern coastal county of Uljin, March 4, is seen in this photo. Yonhap A fast-spreading wildfire in eastern coastal areas on Friday destroyed dozens of homes, forced thousands to evacuate and threatened to burn the vastest forest area in a decade.The blaze started on a road near a mountain in Uljin County, North Gyeongsang Province, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, at 11:17 a.m. and spread to the vicinity of the mountain peak, according to the Korea Forest Service (KFS). The fire spread north to the city of Samcheok, Gangwon Province, in the afternoon, driven by strong winds and dry weather.The KFS and the National Fire Agency issued an emergency alert and dispatched 30 helicopters, 230 fire trucks and 1,100 firefighters to extinguish the wildfire. The firefighters were having difficulties containing the fire due to strong winds of over 25 mps, officials said.The fire burned at least 50 homes and led to the evacuations of ab

Mar 4, 2022

Wildfire destroys 50 homes, prompts thousands to evacuate

Wildfire spreads in southeastern counties

A fast spreading wildfire threatened homes in two southeastern counties Monday, prompting about 100 residents to evacuate and fire authorities to mobilize forces from nearby cities and provinces. YonhapA fast spreading wildfire threatened homes in two southeastern counties Monday, prompting about 100 residents to evacuate and fire authorities to mobilize forces from nearby cities and provinces. The blaze started on a hill in Hapcheon County, 354 kilometers southeast of Seoul, at around 2 p.m. and spread north to nearby villages in Goryeong County in late afternoon, the Korea Forest Service (KFS) said. No casualties were reported.The authorities issued the Level 3 evacuations order for about 100 residents in the villages at 5:30 p.m. There are three evacuation levels in case of a wildfire. Level 3 means danger is currently affecting residents' areas and they should leave immediately. About 29 fire helicopters and some 1,000 personnel were mobilized to extinguish the fire, according to the agency.Fire trucks and water tanks from Deagu, Ulsan, Busan, North Jeolla Province and South Jeol

Feb 28, 2022

Wildfire spreads in southeastern counties

Guidelines for rescued animal shelters unveiled

In this file photo taken on Sept. 9, 2021, rescued dogs are at The Bom Center, an animal-friendly rescue shelter run by Korean Animal Rights Advocates (KARA) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Lee Hae-rinRescued animals are to have more light and fresh air in public shelters, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which unveiled guidelines for shelters and their operations, Wednesday.The guidelines contain detailed instructions on rescue shelter facilities, including on spatial arrangements by animal type, ventilation, humidity levels, temperature control systems, noise levels and odor prevention.Over 280 animal shelters are operated by local governments across the country under the Animal Protection Act. Although the act contains some facility standards, local officials had previously struggled before constructing the shelters, due to the lack of detailed instructions about the facilities.“The guidelines were made based on our research of good practices in animal behavior and shelter management at home and abroad. We al

Feb 24, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Guidelines for rescued animal shelters unveiled

Korea to step up quarantine efforts against animal diseases

gettyimagesbank South Korea said Monday it plans to step up the monitoring of local farms and implement stronger quarantine steps to curb the spread of African swine fever (ASF) and highly pathogenic avian influenza.The country has reported an increase in the outbreak of ASF cases from wild boars in recent weeks, and a series of bird flu cases at local farms since November last year across the country.Swine fever has shown signs of spreading further to southern regions after being recently reported in the central and eastern areas. A total of 292 ASF cases have been reported so far this year.In a move to prevent the spread of ASF, the government will intensify operations of hunting down wild boars and searching for infected animals, while installing more fences to stop their migration, according to the agricultural ministry.It has also been enhancing disinfection measures at local farms and encouraging them to establish quarantine facilities by April.To support the

Feb 21, 2022

Korea to step up quarantine efforts against animal diseases

Rescued dogs sent overseas find new lives, 'forever families'

Kumi, a Pomeranian mix rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Chungcheong Province, was adopted by Diana Rodriguez, living in Virginia, the United States, in February 2021. Courtesy of Diana RodriguezDogs freed from meat farms in Korea enjoy new life in US, UK By Lee Hyo-jin Adopting Kumi, a two-and-a-half-year-old Pomeranian mix rescued from a Korean dog meat farm, was a life-changing event for Diana Rodriguez, living in Virginia, the United States. Rescued in October 2020 from a dog farm in Haemi, South Chungcheong Province, Kumi was extremely traumatized when she arrived in the U.S. later that month. “Not only was she separated from her mother who was caged with her on the farm, but she was pregnant at the time, and gave birth (to her pup) in her first foster home,” Rodriguez told The Korea Times during a recent email interview.But after all she had gone through, Kumi's resilient spirit never ceases to inspire Rodriguez since she became part of her family in February 2021. “When I first saw her, I was immediately struck by how strong she must be to still be

Feb 20, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin

Rescued dogs sent overseas find new lives, 'forever families'

Wildfire contained in Yeongdeok

National Forest Service President Choi Byeong-am, right, directs firefighting operations in Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang Province, Feb. 17. Courtesy of National Forest Service40 helicopters, 126 firetrucks, 2,700 ground units ensured zero human casualties By Ko Dong-hwanA wildfire in the mountainous Yeongdeok County region has been contained in less than two days, after the national forest authority promptly deployed a massive force using firefighting equipment and personnel.The fire was first reported in Samwha-ri area in the North Gyeongsang provincial county at 2:20 a.m. on Feb. 16 and continued until 2:30 p.m. the following day. The fire burned about 400 hectares in total. The National Forest Service (NFS) flew 40 large firefighting helicopters over the region as soon as the sun rose on Thursday. They were supported on the ground by 54 firetrucks, 126 fire engines, 500 fire suppressors, 1,200 public officials, 645 emergency rescue personnel and 300 soldiers. The fire was contained in 36 hours, while ground personnel kept searching for potentially hidden underground fires so

Feb 17, 2022By Ko Dong-hwan

Environment & Animals