The South Korean government plans to swiftly launch a project to assist the afforestation of North Korea. 

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon revealed the plan on Thursday in his congratulatory message sent for the opening of the Baekdudaegan National Aboretum in Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province. 

Lee said Seoul will begin inter-Korean cooperation projects that are not limited by UN sanctions on North Korea as soon as the two sides are ready, including a project to assist afforestation in the North.  

He said the Korea Forest Service and some South Korean regional governments will be requested to help, hoping the day will also come when the two Koreas cooperate for preserving biological resources and doing joint research on them.