Save the Children Korea Leadership Team visits Mongolia
Save the Children Korea Leadership Team visited My Forest Child project site and planted a Canadian spruce tree together
Senior representatives from Save the Children Korea are visiting Mongolia from 19–23 October 2025 to observe the progress of My Forest Child project, which is being implemented with their support.
The senior representatives, led by Gabriel Taeyoung Jung, CEO of Save the Children Korea, includes Jong Yil Lim, CMO, Sookyoung Lee, Corporate Fundraising Team Lead, Ji Won Choi, Philanthropy Fundraising Team Lead and Jae Kwang Lee, Global Strategy Director.
During their visit, the representatives are reviewing the project’s progress and achievements, exploring opportunities for expansion, and exchanging views with local authorities on continued cooperation in environmental initiatives. The team is also learning from Mongolia’s successful reforestation experiences and discussing the future partnership between Save the Children Korea and Save the Children Mongolia.
On Monday, they visited My Forest Child project site in Nalaikh District, where they took part in planting Canadian spruce tree alongside Save the Children Mongolia staff and community members.
Speaking at the event, Gabriel Taeyoung Jung, CEO of Save the Children Korea said:
“Our primary goal in supporting this project is to contribute to addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges — global warming. Tree planting is among the most effective ways to combat climate change, and through this project, we are helping children and young people take action for the environment. Beyond planting trees, we are also organizing trainings on climate adaptation and the importance of forest restoration. Seeing Mongolia’s vast beauty alongside its vulnerability to desertification deeply moved me. After witnessing the conditions here firsthand, I now truly understand how vital this project is for Mongolia.”
Funded by Save the Children Korea, My Forest Child project aims to establish a five-hectare green zone in Nalaikh District by planting over 5,000 trees. This year alone, with the active participation of local school students and residents, 4,000 trees of 24 different species have already been planted.
Save the Children Korea Leadership Team visits “Golomt” complex school in Nalaikh district
The senior representatives from Save the Children Korea, led by Gabriel Taeyoung Jung, CEO of Save the Children Korea, visited the “Golomt” Complex School in Ulaanbaatar’s Nalaikh District on Monday. During the visit, the team met with school administrator and members of the school’s Eco Club to discuss environmental education and youth engagement in climate action.
The Eco Club, consisting of 20 students, has been actively collaborating with Save the Children Mongolia since 2024 under My Forest Child project. Through this partnership, students have received training on tree planting techniques and climate adaptation, and they have taken part in organizing planting activities at the project site.
Speaking with the students, Mr. Gabriel Taeyoung Jung emphasized the importance of awareness and understanding in environmental action: “It is not only important for children to take part in tree planting, but also to understand why it matters to be conscious about protecting nature and knowledgeable about climate change”. He also wished the students success in their environmental efforts.
The Eco Club members expressed their happiness in contributing to the district’s greener future by helping establish a local forest. During the meeting, Munkh-Erdene N., 7th grade student, performed “Uulen Bor” and “Jalam Khar” on the morin khuur (Mongolian traditional music), while 5th grade students presented a dance performance for the guests.
At the conclusion of the visit, the representatives from Save the Children Korea expressed warm appreciation to the “Golomt” Complex School community and highlighted the importance of supporting children’s environmental education and engagement.
Save the Children Korea Leadership Visits Nalaikh District Governor’s Office
Also on Monday, the senior representatives from Save the Children Korea, Gabriel Taeyoung Jung, CEO of Save the Children Korea, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor’s Office of Nalaikh District in Ulaanbaatar. They were warmly welcomed by N. Manduul, Chair of the Citizens’ Representative Khural of Nalaikh District; A. Tuyabaatar, member of Nalaikh Citizens’ Representative Khural; and T. Batsukh, member of Nalaikh Citizens’ Representative Khural and head of the Environment and Green Development Committee.
During the meeting, Mr. Manduul, who previously worked in child-focused organization, expressed his strong support for initiatives that benefit children and young people. He said: “At a time when Mongolia is implementing the President’s nationwide ‘Billion Trees’ campaign, a project like this which establishes the methodology and foundation for reforestation is extremely important. Trees planted in Nalaikh grow particularly well, and this project, along with the nursery site, provides a real opportunity to make our district greener.”
He also highlighted the environmental challenges unique to Mongolia compared to Korea, emphasizing the importance of long term commitment: “Creating and nurturing a forest requires patience and cooperation. According to experts, trees planted here in Nalaikh spend their first 3 years adapting; only after that do they truly begin to grow. If this project continues for many years, it will be easier to achieve lasting results.”
The Nalaikh Citizens’ Representative Khural has also launched a local initiative in cooperation with schools, planting trees corresponding to the number of new first grade students since this year. These trees are cared for by students and their parents until graduation, after which the trees can continue growing independently.
Council members underlined that My Forest Child project plays a vital role in greening the district, building resilience to climate change, and promoting sustainable development. “Nalaikh was once Mongolia’s first mining and industrial town. Together, let us transform it into a district that grows, not digs. We fully support My Forest Child project and are ready to cooperate in every possible way,” they affirmed.
Save the Children Korea Leadership Team visits the “Korean Air Forest” in Baganuur
The leadership team from Save the Children Korea visited the “Korean Air Forest” in Ulaanbaatar’s Baganuur District, an afforestation project established by Korean Air in cooperation with local residents to strengthen Mongolia–Korea friendship and combat desertification.
J. Batbayar, Senior Specialist for Landscaping and Green Development at the Baganuur District Governor’s Office, briefed the visitors on the project. Established in 2004, the forest covers 44 hectares and contains approximately 130,000 trees of seven to eight different species, with a survival rate of 90–100 percent. The trees are irrigated using two wells. Employees and students from the Republic of Korea egularly travel to Mongolia to participate in tree planting activities at the site. The forest plays an important environmental role in reducing dust pollution from nearby coal mines and improving local air quality.
Korean Air continues to support the initiative by providing essential resources and maintenance assistance, helping ensure the forest’s long term sustainability.