DALLAS — March 20, 2024 — Mundus Artium Press has named South Korean environmental leader Moon Kook-hyun its 2024 Artist of Nature of the Year, recognizing more than four decades of work that helped turn reforestation into a nationwide civic movement and later expanded it across Asia.
Moon helped launch the public-private ‘Keep Korea Green’ campaign in the mid-1980s after warning that decades of deforestation were worsening floods, soil erosion and water quality. The initiative paired government action with corporate support and public participation, including widely promoted tree-planting programs for families and newlyweds.
In the 1990s, the effort broadened with incentives that encouraged private donations for reforestation. Organizers say Yuhan-Kimberly contributed more than 1% of annual net sales to forest recovery and, by 2007, annual giving tied to the program was roughly equivalent to $10 million.
During the Asian financial crisis, Moon helped shape ‘Forest for Life,’ a job-creation model that put people to work restoring forests and improving watershed health. The broader movement later supported school forests, greenways and major urban projects, including Seoul Forest Park and the redevelopment of the Nanji-do area into a public park.
The work also reached beyond South Korea through ‘Forest for Peace’ initiatives on the Korean Peninsula and the ‘Keep Asia Green’ network, which supported tree nurseries and planting projects in countries including Mongolia and China.
Moon’s environmental leadership has been recognized internationally, including the United Nations Environment Programme’s Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1997 and the Asian Environmental Award in 1998.
The Artist of Nature honor is part of Mundus Artium Press’ annual recognition of individuals whose work bridges environmental restoration and public benefit. Recipient profiles are archived in the publisher’s international database and on its website.
About Mundus Artium Press: Mundus Artium Press is an international publisher and cultural platform that documents achievement in the arts, humanities and public service, including nature-based initiatives that advance sustainability and peace.
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