August 2nd, 2025
Key Summary
- The Sancheong landslide occurred between July 17 and 20, 2025,
resulting in over 10 deaths and missing persons.
- While heavy rainfall is considered the primary cause, logging
and forest management policies are believed to have increased the
landslide risk.
- The Korea Forest Service’s policy of replacing pine forests with economically viable trees and removing bamboo forests has sparked controversy.
Background Explanation
Incident Overview
From July 17 to 20, 2025, a massive landslide struck Sancheong, claiming over 10 lives and leaving several people missing. According to major news outlets (e.g., Reuters, Al Jazeera, The New York Times), the landslide was triggered by intense rainfall. However, some local residents and experts argue that forest management policies, particularly logging, may have heightened the landslide risk.
Logging and Forest Management Policies
For the past 20 years, the Korea Forest Service has pursued a policy of replacing pine forests (aged 40–50 years) with economically valuable fruit trees or cypress trees. The young trees (10–15 years old) planted in their place may lack the deep root systems needed for soil stabilization. Additionally, the complete removal of bamboo forests in southern regions has become a point of contention. Bamboo’s root network helps prevent soil erosion, and its removal may have increased landslide risks.
Controversy and Uncertainty
Major news reports have not explicitly identified logging as a direct cause of the Sancheong landslide. However, general research (e.g., Lehmann, 2019; Runyan, 2014) suggests that deforestation can increase landslide risks, particularly in mountainous areas where root reinforcement is weakened. Thus, while logging may have contributed to the landslide, this remains a controversial topic.
Policy Implications
This incident raises critical questions about balancing economic benefits with environmental stability. A deeper investigation into how forest management policies affect natural disaster risks is needed.
Detailed Report: Sancheong Landslide and Potential Links to Logging Policies
Introduction
The landslide in Sancheong, South Korea, from July 17 to 20, 2025, caused severe human losses, with over 10 deaths and multiple missing persons. This report examines the incident’s background, related logging and forest management policies, and their potential contribution to the landslide. Based on news reports and academic sources, we analyze this controversial issue from multiple perspectives.
Incident Overview
The Sancheong landslide occurred between July 17 and 20, 2025, with reported deaths ranging from 14 to 18, and some sources mentioning additional missing persons (e.g., Reuters, 2025-07-20; The New York Times, 2025-07-21). Heavy rainfall was identified as the primary cause, with Sancheong recording over 300 mm of rain in a single day on Saturday (Al Jazeera, 2025-07-20). However, local residents and experts suggest that forest management policies, particularly logging, may have increased the landslide risk.
Before landslide, Source: https://mobile.newsis.com/view/NISX20230328_0002243359
Logging and Forest Management Policies
According to user-provided information, the Korea Forest Service has, over the past 20 years, replaced pine forests (aged 40–50 years) with economically beneficial fruit trees or cypress trees. The young trees (10–15 years old) planted as replacements may lack the deep root systems necessary for soil stabilization. Additionally, the complete removal of bamboo forests in southern regions is a point of contention. Bamboo’s root network helps prevent soil erosion, and its removal may have heightened landslide risks.A search for “South Korea government logging policies 2025” yielded no specific information on 2025 policies. However, historical data (e.g., World Wildlife Fund, 2018) and general studies (Lehmann, 2019; Runyan, 2014) suggest that deforestation can increase landslide risks, particularly in mountainous areas where root reinforcement is weakened during heavy rainfall.
After landslide, https://www.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20250721163400052?site=yna_usernews_news_view
Potential Link Between Logging and the Landslide
A search for “logging deforestation cause Sancheong landslide July 2025” found no major news reports explicitly linking logging to the landslide. However, academic sources indicate that deforestation can increase landslide risks. For instance, Lehmann (2019) argues that deforestation weakens soil stability, while Runyan (2014) suggests that landslide frequency may rise after forest removal. These findings align with user-provided information and support the possibility that logging contributed to the Sancheong landslide.The removal of bamboo forests is particularly significant. Bamboo’s root network prevents soil erosion, and its elimination may increase landslide risks (World Wildlife Fund, 2018). This aligns with claims that bamboo forests were entirely removed in southern Sancheong.
Controversy and Uncertainty
Major news outlets (e.g., BBC, 2025-07-23; Yonhap News, 2025-07-20) have not directly cited logging as a cause of the Sancheong landslide, possibly due to the incident’s recent occurrence, necessitating further investigation. However, user-provided information likely reflects local perspectives and expert opinions, making it a valuable supplementary source.This controversy highlights the tension between economic gains and environmental stability. The Korea Forest Service’s tree replacement policy prioritizes economic benefits but may incur costs in terms of soil stability and increased natural disaster risks, underscoring the need for more thorough environmental impact assessments in policymaking.
Policy Implications
This incident emphasizes the need to reassess the impact of forest management policies on natural disaster risks. Logging for economic gain in mountainous areas may compromise environmental stability. Further research and input from local residents and experts are essential, providing critical data for future policy development.
Conclusion
While heavy rainfall appears to be the primary cause of the Sancheong landslide, the potential contribution of logging and forest management policies remains controversial. The Korea Forest Service’s replacement of pine forests with economic trees and the removal of bamboo forests may have weakened soil stability, increasing landslide risks. This issue warrants further investigation and discussion as a critical environmental and social concern.
References
- Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/death-toll-rises-17-south-korea-rains-cause-landslide-floods-2025-07-20/
- Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/20/at-least-14-dead-in-south-korea-after-heavy-rains-trigger-landslide
- The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/world/asia/south-korea-floods-death-toll.html
- Lehmann, P. (2019): https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019WR025233
- Runyan, C. (2014): https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2013WR014819
- World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation-and-forest-degradation