Hyosung Group Expands Efforts to Restore DMZ Ecosystems

Hyosung is expanding its cooperation to restore ecosystems in the DMZ and surrounding border areas to a group-wide level in partnership with the Korea National Arboretum and Korea Foundation for Cooperation of Large & Small Business, Rural Affairs (Win-Win Cooperation Foundation).

Four Hyosung affiliates—Hyosung, Hyosung TNC, Hyosung Heavy Industries, and Hyosung Chemical—signed on March 30 an ‘MOU for Cooperation on Ecosystem Restoration in the DMZ and Surrounding Border Areas’ with the Korea National Arboretum and Win-Win Cooperation Foundation at the Korea National Arboretum in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. The signing ceremony was attended by Hyosung Chemical CEO Lee Cheon-seok, Director General Im Young-suk of the Korea National Arboretum, and Secretary-General Byun Tae-seob of the Win-Win Cooperation Foundation.

Hyosung signed its first agreement related to ecosystem restoration with the relevant organizations in 2024. At the time, Hyosung Chemical signed an agreement with the Korea National Arboretum to conserve biodiversity and counter climate change. The latest agreement involves 4 Hyosung affiliates and aims to broaden the scope and impact of ecosystem restoration, with project funding quadrupled compared to the 2024 levels.

Hyosung will carry out various projects in collaboration with its partner organizations, including the following: ▲ Restoring forest ecosystems in barren areas and damaged forests of the DMZ, ▲ Establishing a foundation for the production and supply of plant materials and securing seeds for restoration, and ▲ Building a network for information sharing and collaboration to promote carbon neutrality and respond to climate change. In particular, an ecosystem restoration event involving Hyosung employees is scheduled to take place this September.

This agreement is seen to establish a sustainable model for ecosystem restoration through collaboration between businesses and institutions, and to contribute to revitalizing the local economy and spreading ESG values.

“We are expanding ecosystem restoration activities including biodiversity preservation on the Korean peninsula, peace building, and management of natural heritage for future generations at a group-wide level. We will continue these sustainable activities in collaboration with our partner organizations,” Hyosung Chemical CEO Lee Cheon-seok said at the signing ceremony.

Meanwhile, last year’s activities for restoring damaged areas of the DMZ involving Hyosung employees were recognized as an exemplary case of collaboration between the private, public, and military sectors, encompassing biodiversity preservation, habitat restoration, and commemoration of veterans and national defense. In addition to these efforts, Hyosung is also continuing various biodiversity conservation activities such as ▲ establishing seagrass forests, ▲ restoring endangered insects, and ▲ protecting migratory birds during winter, advancing its ESG management initiatives.