Hoheung Mudflat World Heritage Registration Resident Briefing Session Held

Residents Participating in the Briefing Session Request "Although Late, Actively Promote"

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shim Jeong-woo] On the 18th, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, announced that it held a 'Resident Briefing Session for the 2nd Phase Expansion of the "Korean Tidal Flats" World Heritage Registration' at the Namyang-myeon Office meeting room.

This resident briefing session was attended by about 80 people, including 54 members such as the heads of villages and women's association presidents of Namyang-myeon, officials from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Cultural Heritage Administration, Jeollanam-do Provincial Office, Korea Marine Environment Corporation, the Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage Promotion Team, and related personnel from each city and county in the 2nd phase expansion area.

'Korean Tidal Flats' were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site on July 31, 2021, including five areas: Seocheon in Chungnam, Gochang in Jeonbuk, Sinan in Jeonnam, and Boseong-Suncheon, and currently, the 2nd phase expansion project is underway according to the World Heritage Committee's recommendations.

Goheung-gun, a peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides, has tidal flats widely distributed across five myeon including Yeoja Bay and Deukryang Bay, and is known to have well-preserved, undisturbed ecological natural environments.

In this 2nd phase expansion project, Goheung-gun is prioritizing four myeon in the Yeoja Bay area (Donggang, Namyang, Gwaryeok, Jeomam), and is currently in consultation to additionally promote three myeon in Deukryang Bay (Daeseo, Duwon, Namyang).

Moon Kyung-oh, Secretary General of the Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage Promotion Team, stated, "Our country's tidal flats are one of the globally important and meaningful habitats for the conservation of Earth's biodiversity, and especially hold outstanding universal value as an intermediate stopover for endangered migratory birds."

Furthermore, he mentioned that the World Heritage registration will not impose additional restrictions on activities or property rights and ownership, and citing the example of the Wadden Sea tidal flats (Germany, Netherlands, Denmark), it is expected to have positive effects such as strengthened support from central government ministries and revitalization of the local economy due to increased visitors.

Additionally, one participant said, "If our Goheung tidal flats are registered as a World Heritage site, it is expected to enhance the brand value of clean Goheung," and added, "If preservation and development are harmonized, it will greatly help increase the income of local residents."

An official from Goheung-gun said, "By participating in the 2nd phase expansion project of the Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage, we will provide convenience to local residents through marine ecological environment protection and various support projects, and strive to promote the value of Goheung tidal flats worldwide," and requested "the interest and cooperation of local residents in this project."

Meanwhile, Goheung-gun enacted related ordinances in February this year for the registration of the 'Korean Tidal Flats' as a World Heritage site, and announced plans to hold briefing sessions sequentially in other areas within the county starting with this session.

Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shim Jeong-woo sevenshim@asiae.co.kr

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