National Center for Forest Therapy, Jecheon (국립제천치유의숲)
The National Center for Forest Therapy, Jecheon is under the Korea Forest Welfare Institute of the Korea Forest Service. It was established with the aim of promoting public health and improving quality of life by providing forest well-being services. The center spans an area of 61.3 hectares (the healing center covering 494.82 square meters). The staff consists of a total of eight employees (one center head, four specializing in forest therapy, and three in operational support).
In April 2015, the Korea Forest Service and the National Police Agency signed an MOU to create this national center. It took approximately three years to develop the center, from September 2016 to May 2019.
In October 2019, the organizational structure was established, and a pilot forest therapy program was initiated. The center's opening ceremony took place in November 2020. Currently, the center offers customized individual and group forest well-being services.
<Award History> (June 2020) Geumsusan Mountain Forest Laughter Therapy was certified as an excellent forest education program by the Korea Forest Service. / (August 2020) Chosen as a recommended place (Healing Forest) by the Korea Tourism Organization. / (October 2020) Received the Encouragement Award at the Forest Well-being Program Competition. / (December 2020) Received the Excellence Award at the COVID-19 Recovery Exemplary Case Contest hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.