'Yeoncheon Imjingang Crane Habitat' Announced as Natural Monument, Home to 10% of Global Population

Internationally Endangered Bird Species Protected by the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Yeoncheon Imjingang Crane Habitat [Yeoncheon-gun]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] The "Yeoncheon Imjingang Crane Habitat" in Gyeonggi Province has been announced as a candidate for designation as a national natural monument.

According to Yeoncheon County on the 16th, the Imjingang Crane Habitat was announced for designation on the 11th and is scheduled to be designated as a national natural monument after a 30-day period for public opinion collection and review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

It was evaluated for its designation value as more than 10% of the world's surviving population gather on approximately 60,000 pyeong along the Imjingang River in Yeoncheon, making it the area with the highest density per unit area in South Korea.

Cranes are internationally endangered birds protected as endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The global surviving population is about 11,000 (3,400 cranes and 8,000 hooded cranes).

In South Korea, about 6,000 (1,400 cranes and 4,500 hooded cranes) overwinter, with approximately 1,500 gathering on the gravel, rapids, and surrounding farmland of the Imjingang in Yeoncheon.

Cranes have long been considered one of the ten symbols of longevity and have been depicted in numerous East Asian paintings, sculptures, handicrafts, and ornaments.

Additionally, during the Joseon Dynasty, cranes were embroidered on the chest badges of high-ranking officials' official robes to symbolize success, highlighting their significant historical and cultural value.

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