New Law to Advance Wood Building in Korea
South Korea is moving to enact the Wooden Architecture Promotion Act (목조건축 활성화법), a comprehensive bill that lays the groundwork for expanding the use of wood in construction as part of the country’s broader climate strategy. The legislation, proposed on November 28, 2024, by a bipartisan group of 26 National Assembly members, is widely seen as a landmark moment for the nation’s construction and forestry sectors.
Structured across five chapters and 29 articles, the act aims to establish a robust legal framework to accelerate the adoption of timber in buildings — particularly in the public sector. Once passed, the law will promote the use of wood as an environmentally friendly material, encourage investment in technical training and R&D, and mandate government support to overcome regulatory barriers. The law is expected to come into force in 2025 following legislative review.
At the core of the act is a recognition of wood’s vital role in achieving carbon neutrality. Unlike concrete or steel, wood stores carbon throughout its lifespan and requires less energy to produce, making it a key component in climate-resilient construction. Yet until now, Korea has lacked the institutional tools and legal clarity to scale up timber-based architecture.
According to the bill’s rationale, outdated building codes, limited market infrastructure, and insufficient technical standards have restricted the growth of wood construction despite its proven environmental and health benefits. The new act directly addresses these gaps by providing government-led incentives, streamlining regulatory pathways, and promoting the inclusion of wood in national building strategies.
The act also encourages the use of wood in public buildings and infrastructure — a policy direction already proven effective in countries like Japan and Canada. By making timber a strategic priority, South Korea signals its intent to lead in green construction practices across Asia.
Behind the scenes, the bill was shaped through years of expert input and inter-agency collaboration, including efforts by the Korea Forest Service and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Former President Jeon Yeong-cheol of the Korean Society of Architectural Policy played a key role in drafting the proposal.
While the act reflects Korea’s domestic policy leadership, it also highlights the value of international collaboration. Organizations such as the Korean Society of Architectural Policy and Korea Wood Construction Association have received long-term support from global partners — including Canada Wood Korea — in building capacity and developing technical pathways to support this legislative milestone.
As the bill moves closer to enactment, the timber construction sector in Korea is poised for growth. This new legal foundation provides clarity, direction, and opportunity — not only for Korean stakeholders, but also for international suppliers and technical experts seeking to support Korea’s transition to low-carbon building solutions.