Problems and Challenges: A Private Forest Purchase Method for National Forest Expansion in South Korea

Hag Mo Kang, Dae Sung Lee, Soo Im Choi, Sohui Jeon, Chong Kyu Lee and Hyun Kim
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Hag Mo Kang: Department of Forest Environmental Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
Dae Sung Lee: National Forestry Cooperative Federation, Seoul 05601, Korea
Soo Im Choi: Department of Forest Resources, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea
Sohui Jeon: Department of Forest Environmental Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
Chong Kyu Lee: Department of Forest Resources, Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology, Jinju 52725, Korea
Hyun Kim: Department of Forest Resources, Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology, Jinju 52725, Korea

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-13

Abstract: This study analyzes the appraisal procedure for government purchasing of privately-owned forests in Korea, in terms of current status, existing procedures, and appraisal cases. The method is a widely conducted instrument of national forest expansion policy. For the purchase status, the purchase targets of private forests, unit price, and purchase records are analyzed. The purchase procedure is to analyze the process from the sale agreement submission of the owner to the transfer of ownership after completion of sales. The appraisal cases analyze the appraisal results according to the actual purchase of private forests. Three of the procedure’s most problematic aspects are identified: The selection of appraisal companies, the failure to include the value of standing trees, and ambiguities in appraisal criteria. The study suggests some ways of improving the continuing implementation of the national forest expansion program through ongoing purchases of privately-owned forests. Firstly, the selection process for appraisal companies needs to be improved by independent third-party institutions or a competitive bidding system. Secondly, since forests are classified into standing trees and forest land, these two categories need to be appraised separately rather than together, as is often currently the case. Thirdly, since appraisal factors are currently based primarily on appraisers’ subjective experience and knowledge, there is a need both for developing more objective appraisal criteria as well as for improving the training of appraisers themselves, to increase their level of expertise and ensure greater objectivity in forest appraisal.

Keywords: national forest expansion; private forest purchase; standing tree value; appraisal; individual factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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