“One must continually study to develop effective regional ecological policies.”

People must keep learning throughout life. This is especially true when the field relates to one’s work. A late‑blooming graduate student at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) who studies to apply professional knowledge in practice and perseveres in effort has become a topic of interest. He was recently recognized for his outstanding research achievements.

The person in the spotlight is Mr. Kim Sang‑sik (53), a PhD candidate in the Department of Ecological Landscape Design. He currently serves as a member of the Wanju County Council (Industry and Construction Committee), balancing practical work and academic study.

Councilor Kim, together with Yu Chil‑seon (a master’s student), a cultural tourism interpreter for Jeollabuk Province, studied diligently and recently produced valuable research results. At the Autumn Academic Paper Presentation of the Korean Society of Traditional Landscape Architecture, they received the Outstanding Paper Award for their study "Phytosociological Diagnosis of the Landscape Trees of Beopjusa Temple on Sogrisan and the Surrounding Forest Vegetation." As a study on temple forests within the field of traditional landscape architecture, it received favorable reviews for comprehensively diagnosing how the trees around temples can harmonize ecologically and visually with the surrounding vegetation and convey appropriate meaning.

To conduct this research, he carved out time during his busy legislative duties this summer to carry out a full survey of the trees at Beopjusa Temple. Based on this work, he aims to integrate the findings into his council activities to propose a stable ecological landscape model for Jeonbuk Province and to lay the groundwork for further development of the local environment. His scholarly zeal therefore remains undiminished.

Having begun his legislative work in 2006, he, as a landscape architecture major, has taken a strong interest in policies for local landscaping and ecology. Believing he must continuously learn to develop better policies, he chose to enter graduate school.

After entering the JBNU Graduate School and pursuing a master’s in the field of ecological landscape design, he recognized during his studies that small streams (sigaecheon) hold significant ecological value for residents. Through his council work he promoted their restoration and succeeded in securing budget for Wanju County’s small‑stream restoration project.

Councilor Kim said, "What could be more rewarding than acquiring professional knowledge in a field related to my work at a late age and translating it into policy?" He added, "To make the region a better place to live, I will continue to devote myself to my studies while serving on the council so that I can accumulate professional expertise in ecological landscape design."