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2025 Vol.52, Issue 4 Preview Page

Review Article

Review of management strategies on tree diseases caused by emerging and alien pathogens on urban area, with special reference to Dutch elm disease in South Korea: Review of management strategies on tree diseases caused by alien pathogens
Myeong-Gwan Kim1†
,
Hee-Gyu Woo2†
,
Yong-Ho Kim2
,
Ki Hyeong Park3
,
Sang-Tae Seo3
,
Bo-Kyung Jang4
,
Dong-Hyeon Lee2*
1Division of General Affairs, Korea Forest Service, Daejeon 35208, Korea
2Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
3Division of Forest Insect Pests and Diseases, National Institute of Forest Science, Seoul 02455, Korea
4Division of Forest Health Protection, Korea Forest Service, Daejeon 35208, Korea
*Corresponding Author
†These authors equally contributed to this study as first author.
1 December 2025. pp. 587-595
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Abstract

The recent occurrence of Dutch elm disease (DED) in South Korea has highlighted the increasing threat posed by invasive and emerging tree pathogens to both urban and forest ecosystems. In response to these challenges, this review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the occurrence patterns, ecological impacts, and current management policies for high-risk tree diseases in the country, with particular emphasis on exotic and outbreak-prone pathogens. We critically examined the existing national response framework, including legal regulations, institutional roles, and operational protocols, identifying key limitations such as delayed detection, limited availability of registered control agents, and insufficient integration between diagnostic, monitoring, and treatment systems. Policy-level case studies, such as the application of trunk injection technologies for disease control, are discussed not as isolated solutions but as part of a broader integrated management approach. Based on this analysis, we proposed strategic measures to enhance South Korea’s biosecurity capacity, including the establishment of standardized diagnostic pipelines, expansion of pesticide registration for forest pathogens, and strengthening of the Tree Doctor system to enable rapid, science-based responses. By aligning technological innovation with policy development, Korea might improve preparedness and resilience against the accelerating risks of invasive and emergent tree diseases under global trade and climate change pressures. This review aimed to guide policymakers, researchers, and practitioners toward more coordinated and proactive forest health management strategies.

Keywords
diagnosis
fungicide
Ophiostoma
trunk injection
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Information
  • Publisher :Institute of Agricultural Science, Chungnam National University
  • Publisher(Ko) :충남대학교 농업과학연구소
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
  • Journal Title(Ko) :농업과학연구
  • Volume : 52
  • No :4
  • Pages :587-595
  • Received Date : 2025-09-10
  • Revised Date : 2025-10-13
  • Accepted Date : 2025-10-14
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7744/kjoas.520415
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