Wando Bogildo Yesong Beach, Pursuing 2021 Blue Flag Certification

Following the First Domestic Certification, Pursuing the Second Certification for Sinjimangsasipri Beach

Scenery of Yesong Beach, Bogil, Wando (Photo by Wando-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyungpil] Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Shin Woo-cheol) announced on the 30th that it has begun preparatory work, including the drafting of a preliminary evaluation report, to obtain the 2021 Blue Flag certification for Yesong Beach on Bogildo Island.

The Blue Flag certification is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in Copenhagen, Denmark, to beaches that meet all requirements across four categories: safety, environmental education, water quality, and surrounding environment, covering 29 evaluation items and 137 requirements.

Starting in Europe in 1985 and expanding globally, beaches and marinas in 50 countries have obtained Blue Flag certification. Domestically, Shinji Myeongsashipri Beach is the only beach to have received the certification for two consecutive years, including 2019.

On the 26th, prior to the application submission, officials from the Korean office of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and Wando County government officials visited Yesong Beach on Bogildo Island for a preliminary inspection.

Yesong Beach on Bogildo Island is not a sandy beach but a pebble beach made up of cheongmyeongseok, a type of cobblestone, stretching approximately 2 km in length and 50 m in width.

The pebbles create a mesmerizing sound of seaweed when waves come in and retreat, producing a white sound that calms the mind, earning it the nickname "a feast of white sound."

The beach harmonizes exquisitely with the surrounding evergreen forest, aged 200 to 300 years and designated as Natural Monument No. 40, making the scenery renowned for its beauty.

Moreover, Bogildo Island, which embraces Yesong Beach, is considered the best island garden in Korea, rich not only in historical and cultural resources but also in forest and marine healing resources.

Throughout the island are sites such as Seyonjeong Pavilion and the historic sites of Go San Yun Seon-do, camellia clusters, the 5.2 km-long Eobusasisa Trail along the coastline, and Bo-ok-ri Dinosaur Egg Beach, ideal for gazing at the horizon?making it a treasure trove of forest, marine healing, and tourism resources.

Kang Daeyoung, director of the Korean office of the Foundation for Environmental Education, who visited Yesong Beach, said, “Yesong Beach, with its distinctive and outstanding natural scenery of pebble stones set against the backdrop of the evergreen forest (Natural Monument No. 40), the visibly pristine water quality of the beach, and the abundant historical and cultural tourism resources nearby, will be a significant advantage in the Blue Flag certification evaluation.”

To obtain Blue Flag certification, Yesong Beach must first pass five water quality tests during the beach opening period this year, plus one test each before and after the opening, totaling seven water quality tests. By next year, it must meet all 137 evaluation items.

A Wando-gun official stated, “Following Shinji Myeongsashipri Beach, the first Blue Flag certified beach in Korea, we will do our utmost to have Yesong Beach become the second certified beach. This will contribute not only to the successful promotion of the 2021 Wando Visit Year but also to solidifying the image of clean Wando.”

Meanwhile, it is known that Busan D Beach is also pursuing Blue Flag certification, drawing attention to whether Wando-gun can secure the second certification following the first domestic Blue Flag certification.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.