“Plant Our Planet (POP)” Campaign Co-hosted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Korea Forest Service of Republic of Korea 

1. On November 3, at the Yumyeongsan National Recreational Forest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (“MOFA”) and the Korea Forest Service (“KFS”) of the Republic of Korea held an event under the banner of “Plant Our Planet (POP)” campaign, which aims to promote international solidarity in addressing climate change. Members of the Diplomatic Corps in the ROK, the KOREAZ honorary reporters, the Korea Allimi (supporters), members of the American Diplomatic House Academy and university students in the ROK participated in the event. 

2. Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy of MOFA Hong Seok-in said in his opening remarks that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement and the ROK, where mountains were bare seven decades ago, now has its land covered with lush and dense forests, transforming itself into one of the leading countries in reforestation and the fight against climate change. He also emphasized that the ROK, as a global pivotal state, will keep contributing to achieving universal values and international solidarity through diverse public diplomacy activities, including the POP campaign which 200 million people all over the world participated through the metaverse. 

3. Mr. Eunsik Park, Director General of the International Affairs Bureau of the KFS, said in his welcome speech that the year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the ROK’s reforestation, and the KFS is making efforts for the ROK and its people to benefit from thriving forests. He then expressed his hope that the Diplomatic Corps in the ROK and university students attending the event will come to recognize the significance of forests through hands-on experience, including a guided forest tour and woodcraft activities. 

4. On behalf of the present Diplomatic Corps members, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the ROK Pengiran Hajah Nooriyah expressed consent on the significance of the POP campaign. 

5. MOFA and the KFS are conducting a year-round global campaign to address the climate crisis. In April, they held a tree-planting event in Paju, the ROK, followed by this event in the autumn to send out a message that efforts to stop climate change should include not only tree-planting but also constant forest tendering.