Dong-A ST (Chairman Eom Dae-sig) announced its participation in a tree planting event with the aim of developing an urban forest in the Choansan Neighborhood Park in Nowon-gu, Seoul on November 29.

The event was attended by a number of dignitaries including Chairman Eom Dae-sig of Dong-A ST, Director Choi Yoon-jong of the Green City Seoul Bureau, Chief Oh Seung-rok of Nowon-gu Office, and Chairman Heo Sang-man of the Forest for Life Foundation, along with residents of Nowon-gu.

During the event, Chairman Eom Dae-sig, employees of Dong-A ST and the other attendees planted a total of 2,332 trees that are known to be effective in blocking and adsorbing fine dust, such as pine, oak, fringe and willow trees, at the 3,184㎡ urban forest site created around Mt. Choansan. Seoul Metropolitan City plans to open the urban forest to the public in early December after installing the necessary tree support structures and properly maintaining the planting site.

In August, Dong-A ST signed a business agreement with Seoul Metropolitan City and the Forest of Life Foundation to reduce the levels of fine dust and improve the urban environment. Under the terms of this agreement, Dong-A ST will support the operation and business expenses necessary for the development of an urban forest in the Mt. Choansan area in Nowon-gu, Seoul, while the Forest for Life Foundation will be responsible for developing and managing the urban forest and the related programs.

According to the National Institute of Forest Science, urban forests have lower temperatures and higher humidity levels than urban centers, making them effective in lowering the fine dust concentration in such areas. Urban forests reduce the level of fine dust by 25.6% and that of ultra-fine dust by 40.9% on average, and also display such effects as climate mitigation and noise reduction.

Dong-A ST has been trying to raise environmental awareness and establish a social consensus on environmental protection as we think that protecting environment is a way of saving human life. To raise awareness of the importance of the environment, the source of all life, and cultivate respect for all life among youth, Dong-A ST has hosted the annual ‘Environment & Life Loving Class for Youth’ since 2004. In addition, Dong-A ST has been leading environmental protection through the rooftop gardens which have the effect of improving air quality and alleviating the “urban heat island” phenomenon.

Chairman Eom Dae-sig of Dong-A ST said, “We expect urban forests to play a positive role in lowering the concentration of fine dust in the city. We also want to pay closer attention to preserving public health and the ecosystem. We will also do our best to fulfill our social responsibilities by developing new medicines to save lives and by carrying out various activities to preserve the environment.”