Gapyeong officials and Korea Forest Service inspect pine wilt disease sites

Gapyeong County officials and the Korea Forest Service conducted an emergency field inspection on October 23 to assess the spread of pine wilt disease and discuss forest restoration strategies. The inspection focused on a 3-hectare site in Ihwa-ri, Gapyeong-eup, where a species conversion project is underway to replace 2,336 damaged Korean pine trees with more resilient species. The project is currently 60% complete, with goals to finish by early December and begin replanting next spring.

The region has seen a massive surge in damage; the number of affected trees rose from 4,591 in 2021 to 72,507 last year. This has significantly impacted local industry, with pine nut production dropping from 3,937 tons in 2010 to approximately 9 tons in 2024.

Gapyeong County Mayor Seo Tae-won requested increased national support to manage the rising financial burden, proposing that the national subsidy for forest disaster countermeasures be raised from 50% to 70%. The county is also seeking institutional support to expand dedicated personnel and organizations to handle rapid outbreaks. Gapyeong is expected to be designated as a special prevention zone for pine wilt disease starting October 29.