South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is situated in East Asia, occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. It borders North Korea to the north and is flanked by the Yellow Sea to the west, the East China Sea to the south, and the Sea of Japan to the east. Its topography is predominantly mountainous, with about 70% of the country covered by mountains. The Taebaek Mountains run along the eastern coast, and the Sobaek Mountains are located in the central region. The country also features coastal plains, especially in the western and southern regions, which are extensively used for agriculture.

The country experiences a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are generally cold and dry, while summers are hot and humid, with the monsoon season bringing most of the annual rainfall during the summer months. Spring and autumn are typically mild and pleasant, making them the best times to visit.

	Score	Rank	Change
Total Score – NCI 2024	50.74	144	N/A
Land Management	36	171	N/A
Protected Areas (Terrestrial)	63	95	N/A
Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	31	150	N/A
Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	29	161	N/A
Protected Areas (Marine)	7	75	N/A
Pristine Habitat (Converted Land)	73	162	N/A
Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)	45	58	N/A
Sustainable Pesticide Use	4	149	N/A
Threats to Biodiversity	51	169	N/A
Threatened Species (Terrestrial)	87	93	N/A
Threatened Species (Marine)	75	24	N/A
Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas	100	1	N/A
Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas	0	134	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial)	21	132	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Marine)	0	10	N/A
Depleted Fisheries	0	39	N/A
Fishery Pressure in the High Seas	78	141	N/A
Invasive Species Pressure	95	89	N/A
Capacity and Governance	69	40	N/A
Total Management Cost	100	21	N/A
Conservation Culturomics	34	132	N/A
Conservation Legislation	48	52	N/A
Ratification of CBD	100	1	N/A
Ratification of CITES	100	1	N/A
Political Stability and Absence of Violence	70	3	N/A
Control of Corruption	64	35	N/A
Government Effectiveness	76	18	N/A
Future Trends	47	60	N/A
Climate Change Mitigation	47	60	N/A

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

South Korea has established a comprehensive system of protected areas, encompassing various designations like national parks, ecological conservation areas, and wetland reserves, covering about 16.4% of its territory as of 2013. Despite falling below the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) average, efforts are ongoing to expand protected areas in the country. Additionally, South Korea boasts five national geoparks, 18 Ramsar-listed wetlands, and several UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, such as Seoraksan and Jejudo, which play vital roles in conserving the nation’s diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity.

Threats to Biodiversity

The Korean Peninsula faces significant biodiversity threats, primarily driven by habitat loss due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, leading to a surge in endangered species. Efforts to mitigate this loss through afforestation and restoration have been insufficient, with substantial reductions observed in wetlands, farmland, and forested areas over the past two decades.

Additionally, climate change and the introduction of alien species further endanger native flora and fauna, with over 2,000 alien species identified, some of which are invasive. Poaching and the disruption of natural predator-prey dynamics contribute to ecosystem imbalance, exacerbated by factors such as road expansion and illegal wildlife trade, posing serious challenges for biodiversity conservation efforts.

Capacity and Governance

The South Korean government is actively promoting sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, with initiatives like the creation of ‘sea forests’ to restore coastal ecosystems and the gradual reduction of the Total Allowable Catch to ensure sustainable fishery resources. Additionally, South Korea prioritizes the conservation of endangered species through the Act on Wildlife Protection and Management, which legally manages 246 endangered species. Restoration programs target around 40 endangered species, including the Asiatic Black Bear and Crested Ibis, aiming to bolster their populations through breeding and reintroduction efforts.

Public awareness campaigns underscore the importance of species conservation, exemplified by initiatives like the restoration program for the Asiatic Black Bear, which involves collaborative efforts to establish sanctuaries and protected areas for habitat restoration and population recovery.

Future Trends

South Korea has undertaken diverse initiatives to conserve biodiversity, including expanding protected areas, restoring habitats for endangered species, integrating biodiversity into land-use planning, investing in research, enforcing wildlife protection laws, and promoting public awareness and education. These efforts align with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, demonstrating the country’s commitment to safeguarding its unique flora and fauna for generations to come.

Biodiversity

Diverse ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, and marine environments, characterize South Korea’s biodiversity. Iconic species such as the Korean black bear, Korean goral, and red-crowned crane are emblematic of its rich wildlife, with the Demilitarized Zone serving as an unintentional sanctuary for rare and endangered species.

The country’s extensive coastline supports various marine life, including seals, dolphins, and diverse fish species, while coastal wetlands serve as crucial stopover sites for migratory birds. South Korea’s landscapes feature picturesque mountains, vibrant forests, and stunning floral displays, with national parks like Seoraksan and Jirisan showcasing its natural beauty.

In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to South Korea only):

	Species (World rank)	Threatened	% Threatened	Endemic	% Endemic
Mammals	92 (#120)	12	13.0%
Birds	357 (#99)	35	9.8%
Reptiles	25 (#153)	3	12.0%
Amphibians	21 (#96)	3	14.3%	5	23.8%
Fishes	1,108 (#37)	75	6.8%	23	2.1%
Plants	2,993 (#119)	31	1.0%	9	0.3%