A 2017 assessment found that 5,236 km², or 2%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Only 5% of the unprotected area is still forested. Protected areas include Bukhansan National Park, Byeonsan-bando National Park, Chiaksan National Park, Deogyusan National Park, Gayasan National Park, Gyeryongsan National Park, Jirisan National Park, Naejangsan National Park, Sobaeksan National Park, Songnisan National Park, Woraksan National Park.