Protection of biological species includes recovering the ecosystem equilibrium and provides abundant and diverse benefits to humans. Around 13 million species are estimated to inhabit the earth, with 70 species becoming extinct every day. Also, 25% of all species are predicted to disappear by 2050. The current extinction rate is reported to be 1,000 times faster than the natural extinction rate.

 

 An estimated 100,000 species inhabit South Korea. As of 2020, a total of 45,292 species, including 5,349 plant species, have been identified. According to the criteria of the IUCN Red List, 4,058 species have been designated on the Korean Red List. Currently, 12 species have been reported to be extinct, and 533 species are categorized as endangered. Of the 533 endangered species, 214 are plant species, accounting for 40% of the total.

 

 The Ministry of Environment designated 92 specific wild animal and plant species for the first time in 1989. Currently, 267 species are under protection and management. Among these species, plants account for 88 species: 11 species of class I and 77 species of class II.

The Korean Peninsula is located between 33˚ N and 42˚ N and connected to the continent of Eurasia. It is a peninsular state, easily affected by continental and oceanic climates. The Korean Peninsula is long from north to south and shows distinct seasonal changes with numerous mountainous regions showing diverse flora. Distinct climatic and geographic characteristics allow the coexistence of southern and northern plants throughout the whole country. Among Korea's endangered plant species, 24 species are northern plants, and 30 are southern plants. The distribution range and the distributional limit of these plants are expected to change under climate change scenarios. Particularly, the population of northern plant species and their distribution range are decreasing.

 

 Currently, 15 of 436 endemic species are designated as endangered wild plant species. Also, as orchid species are severely declining due to illegal collection, 19 orchid species are under legal protection to eradicate illegal collection.