Politics · South Korea · 2 hrs ago
Government finds widespread suspected violations among South Korea forestry firms
A South Korean government inspection found 1,073 of 1,907 forestry firms failed registration requirements.
The review also flagged 4,716 of 12,463 forestry workers for suspected violations, including possible credential lending or holding multiple jobs.
Investigators found that 33 firms had allegedly used the credentials of 38 dead people, as well as cases involving prisoners and people living abroad for long periods.
The inspection covered the forestry companies and workers responsible for forest-related projects across South Korea.
It also found that about 83% of major forestry contracts from 2023 to 2025 were awarded without competitive bidding, a practice officials said can limit competition and harm work quality.
Authorities have referred 342 firms and 401 workers for investigation, and say other confirmed cases will face administrative action after review.
The government plans to strengthen penalties, improve oversight and shift more contracts to competitive bidding, aiming to raise its share from 52% this year to 80% by 2030.
A government inspection found that 1,073 of South Korea’s 1,907 forestry firms failed registration requirements or were suspected of employing workers involved in violations.
It also identified 4,716 forestry technicians, or 37.8% of those examined, as suspected of violations including credential lending and dual employment.
Authorities said 33 firms had used the credentials of 38 deceased people.
The government has referred 342 firms and 401 technicians for investigation and plans administrative action against firms and technicians confirmed to have failed requirements.
The inspection also found that negotiated contracts made up about 83% of major forestry contract value from 2023 to 2025.
- Who
- South Korea’s government, including the Office for Government Policy Coordination and the Korea Forest Service, inspected forestry firms and technicians.
- What
- A government inspection found widespread suspected violations and shortcomings in forestry contracts and project oversight.
- When
- The findings were announced on October 16, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The government said the inspection aimed to improve oversight and establish a sound market order so forestry work can support healthy forests and prevent forest disasters.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The government examined major forestry project contracts and found that negotiated contracts accounted for about 83% of their value.
The government announced the inspection findings, including suspected violations among firms and technicians.
- Firms failing registration requirements
- 1,073 of 1,907 (56%)
- Technicians suspected of violations
- 4,716 of 12,463 (37.8%)
- Credentials of deceased people used
- 38 people’s credentials at 33 firms
- Referred for investigation
- 342 firms and 401 technicians
- Negotiated contracts
- About 83% of major forestry contract value in 2023–2025
- Suspected project-management problems
- 79 cases across 1,145 reforestation sites and 71 forest-management projects
1 source
What people are saying
Negotiated contracts are not illegal, but they limit market competition and are pointed out as a cause of declining project quality because contracts can be won without evaluation.
We plan to establish a sound market order so forestry projects can contribute to creating and nurturing healthy forests and preventing forest disasters.