UNESCO Begins On-Site Evaluation for Re-designation of ‘Cheongsong World Geopark’ ... Conducted Across the County from 23rd to 27th

First Re-designation Challenge Since Initial Designation in 2017

Cheongsong-gun, where on-site evaluations for reassignment will be conducted from the 23rd to the 27th. (View of the representative attraction, Juwangsan)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gui-yeol] The on-site evaluation for the re-designation of the Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark in Gyeongbuk (846㎢, covering the entire administrative area of Cheongsong-gun) will take place from the 23rd to the 27th of this month.

This re-designation on-site evaluation aims to check the implementation of the recommendations given at the time of the initial designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark and to review the management and operational status to date.

The evaluation team includes Tran Tan Van from Vietnam and Kimiya Sadat Ajayebi from Iran, who were selected by UNESCO as on-site evaluators.

The on-site evaluation will begin with a meeting with the Cheongsong County Governor and a report on the operational status, followed by visits to representative sites of the Cheongsong Global Geopark such as Juwangsan, the Exploration Information Center, Cheongsong Garden, Kkotdol Ecological Trail, and the Sinsong-ri Dinosaur Footprints, to assess the management and operational status so far.

Cheongsong Geopark, Yongyeon Waterfall Underwater Cave.

Additionally, the evaluation team will visit geopark partner companies and meet with local residents to gather their opinions as part of the on-site evaluation process.

The evaluation team will review the implementation status of recommendations made at the time of the Cheongsong Global Geopark designation, including enhancing geopark visibility, securing the geological value of geological sites in connection with other historical, cultural, and ecological values, and strengthening international exchange activities and cooperation.

They will also examine essential aspects required for UNESCO Global Geopark designation, such as geological heritage conservation, management structure, educational activities, geotourism, and regional cooperation.

Based on the on-site evaluation report prepared by the evaluators after the visit, the final results will be announced at the UNESCO Global Geopark Committee meeting scheduled for December this year.

The Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark covers the entire administrative area of Cheongsong-gun in Gyeongbuk and was certified as a national geopark by the Ministry of Environment in 2014.

In 2017, it was designated as the second UNESCO Global Geopark in Korea after Jeju Island, and it is now challenging its first re-designation.

To implement the recommendations, in cooperation with the Korea National Park Service, the Juwangsan Exploration Information Center was newly built and is being used as a core center for geopark promotion, education, and visitor convenience.

Efforts have also been made to strengthen international exchange and cooperation by establishing partnerships with Aso City in Japan and Huanggang City in China.

To disperse the concentrated visitor demand in the Juwangsan area and provide new attractions, the geopark has promoted revitalization through projects such as the creation of Cheongsong Garden and the establishment of the Sinsong-ri Dinosaur Footprint Fossil Site Ecological Park.

Choi Young-sook, Director of the Environmental Forestry Resources Bureau of Gyeongbuk Province, said, “We have made thorough preparations to respond smoothly to the on-site evaluation,” and added, “We will do our best to achieve the re-designation of the Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark.”

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