KT&G (CEO Kyung-man Bang) has initiated the creation of the 'KT&G Forest of Imagination' to restore and rejuvenate the ecosystem of the forests in Uljin County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, damaged by the 2022 wildfires.

KT&G plans to establish the 'Forest of Imagination' by planting 6,000 trees, including the endangered species Korean fir and honey source trees, over an area of 2 hectares (approximately 6,000 pyeong) near the coastal ecological trail in Buk-myeon, Uljin County, where a major wildfire occurred.

On the 7th, the KT&G employee volunteer group visited the site of the 'Forest of Imagination' and conducted a tree-planting volunteer activity along with officials from Uljin County and the Korea Rural Community Corporation, contributing to the restoration efforts from the wildfire damage.  

The expenses for creating this 'Forest of Imagination' were fully covered by the 'Imagination Fund,' which is comprised of voluntary contributions from KT&G employees. The 'Imagination Fund' is a corporate social responsibility fund launched by KT&G in 2011, formed through a matching grant system where the company matches the monthly contributions donated by the employees.

Sim Young-ah, KT&G's Director of ESG Management, stated, "KT&G has previously established 'Forests of Imagination' in Daegwallyeong, Gangwon-do, and Bonghwa County, Gyeongbuk." She added "We hope that this activity of creating the 'Forest of Imagination' will help restore the forests damaged by the wildfire in Uljin County and enhance biodiversity."

Meanwhile, KT&G has been contributing to global climate crisis response and ecological environmental protection by establishing 'Forests of Imagination' in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, twice in 2022 and 2023.

(Photo Description1) KT&G (CEO Kyung-man Bang) is creating the 'Forest of Imagination' to restore the forest damaged by the Uljin wildfire near the coastal ecological trail in Buk-myeon, Uljin County. The photo shows KT&G employee volunteers taking a commemorative photo after planting trees on the 7th.

(Photo Description2) KT&G (CEO Kyung-man Bang) is creating the 'Forest of Imagination' to restore the forest damaged by the Uljin wildfire near the coastal ecological trail in Buk-myeon, Uljin County. The photo shows the KT&G employee volunteer group planting trees on the 7th.