Dr. Michal Krav??k, a Slovak environmentalist, introduces a past European case that improved the ability of the forest ecosystem to naturally prevent wildfire by increasing soil water retention capacity.  

A panel member speaks in the National Assembly Emergency Forum held in celebration of Korean Arbor Day.  

The K-Green Foundation held an emergency forum under the topic of <The New Strategy to Confront the Wildfire Crisis in the Age of Climate Change: Defeat Wildfire with Rainwater> at the National Assembly Member’s Office Building in celebration of Korean Arbor Day on April 5. 

The forum was attended by about 50 concerned persons from academia, research institutes, government, citizen organizations, etc., including Kwon Seongdong, Lee Cheolgyu, and Park Hyeongsu who are the members of the People Power Party, Lee Gwangjae and Heo Yeong who are the members of the Democratic Party, Choi Yul(Chief Director of the K-Green Foundation), Choi Byeongam(Korean Forest Service Minister), Lee Heunggyo(Korean National Fire Agency Commissioner), and Dr. Michal Krav??k who is a Slovak environmentalist. 

In the forum, Dr. Michal Krav??k, a Slovak environmentalist and recognized authority in water resources management, introduced a past European case that improved the ability of the forest ecosystem to naturally prevent wildfire by increasing soil water retention capacity, and discussed how to apply it to Korean environment, speaking as a presenter.  

Also, Han Muyeong, Honorary Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Seoul National University, and Lee Woogyun, Professor of the Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering at Korea University, gave presentations about wildfire countermeasure and management strategies and ecosystem recovery plans. Then, Woo Suyeong, Professor of the Department of Environmental Horticulture at University of Seoul, led the discussion on how to confront wildfires as a chairman, with various participants including citizens from the wildfire-affected areas, environmentalists, and officials from local governments, the National Fire Agency, and the Korea Forest Service. 

Dr. Michal Krav??k who gave the presentation under the topic of wildfire-damaged ecosystem recovery plan is a Slovak environmentalist and currently works as the chief director of the organization “People and Water”. He acquired the doctor of engineering in water resources management and also was awarded  the Goldman Environmental Prize, also known as the “Green Nobel Prize”, in 1999 for his outstanding contributions throughout the world, besides Slovakia. 

In the forum, the K-Green Foundation Chief Director Choi Yul said “Last March, a series of massive wildfires along the East sea area destroyed the forest, nearly one-third of Seoul surface area, and it even threatened the Uljin Geumgang pine habitat which has been well conserved for hundreds of years”. He declared “the K-Green Foundation will take the lead in protecting the Geumgang Pine trees from wildfires by setting up and expanding the nature-based solution “rainwater-gathering system”.