The primary objective of this study is to develop a suitable methodology to generate forest leaf area index (LAI) map at regional and local scales. To build empirical models, we collected the LAI values at 30 sample plots over the forest within the kyongan watershed area by the field measurements using an optical instrument. Landsat-7 ETM＋ multispectral data obtained at the same growing season with the field LAI measurement were used. Three datasets of remote sensing signal were prepared for analyzing the relationship with the field measured LAI value and they include raw DN, atmospherically corrected reflectance, and topographically corrected reflectance. From the correlation analysis and regression model development, we found that the radiometric correction of topographic effects was very critical step to increase the sensitivity of the multispectral reflectance to LAI. In addition, the empirical model to generate forest LAI map should be separately developed for each of coniferous and deciduous forest.