[Reporter Hong Lan, Korean Farmers and Fishermen Newspaper] The first ecological forest directly designated and managed by the state has been born. It is expected to become a hub for restoring areas damaged by forest fires and a key foundation for restoring biodiversity. The Korea Forest Service announced on the 12th that it has designated 47.6 hectares of forest in Deokguri and Sangdangri, Ulju County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, as the "Ulju National Ecological Forest." This designation is significant as it marks the first instance where the state directly manages a space for research, education, and experience, while restoring forests damaged by large-scale forest fires. The Ulju and Samcheok forest fires that occurred in March 2022 destroyed a total of 16,302 hectares of forest, and currently, about 71% of the damaged areas are undergoing natural restoration.