The Korea Environment Institute (KEI) released the study on ecological network after nine months of research recommending to create a "Korean Peninsula Ecological Network" on a priority basis to manage the entire peninsula as one ecosystem with a long-term vision.

An ecological network is one of the integrated management schemes of eco-environment that organically links ecologically important regions (mountains, rivers, seas, cities and rural areas) in the nation into one network. Netherlands, Germany and a majority of European countries employ this method for national land and in urban development projects.

MOE is acting for the creation of a three-tiered ecological network, in which the Great Baekdu Mountain Range, the DMZ, and the coastal and island eco-axes serve as the core regions. The ecosystems of the cities and rural areas situated between three axes will be preserved and restored to function as viable organic constituents.

The study proposes that the formation of the Korean peninsula ecological network be staggered by three stages between 2002 and 2011 with various priority projects in each stage.

Under the network, the first-stage (2002-2005) will set the groundwork for the ecological network policies and devise implementation strategies. In this stage, basic research will be sustained, bio-geographical regions and the status of biotope will be identified and mapped, and eco-information management system will be established.

The second stage (2006-2008) will be a period of establishing an eco-network system in a full-scale, which would embrace conservation assessment, and definition of core regions, eco-corridors, and regions for restoration. Maps of ecological degradation and the national eco-network will be made, and ecological restoration and establishment of eco-corridor will be planned and implemented.

The third and last stage (2009-2011) will be devoted to establishing a system for managing and monitoring the eco-network system focusing on preservation, monitoring and management of core regions. In addition, systematic management and monitoring system will be developed and further studies on Pan-Asian ecological network will be conducted.

Establishment of "Korean Peninsula Ecological Network" calls for the shift of the fundamental notion of natural preservation policy from placing its emphasis on preservation of wild fauna and flora and their habitats to integrated management viewing national territory as one organic body.