First Summit Opening of Mudeungsan This Year on March 4, 9 AM to 4 PM

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The first opening of the Mudeungsan summit this year will take place.

Gwangju Metropolitan City and the Korea National Park Service announced on the 20th that, with the cooperation of the Air Force 1st Missile Defense Brigade, the first opening of the Mudeungsan summit this year will be held on March 4th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After receiving a ‘Green Card’ in the UNESCO Global Geopark Committee evaluation last December, and with the re-certification of the Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark likely at the end of this month, the National Park Service promoted the opening of the Mudeungsan summit to commemorate this achievement.

During this summit opening event, the city will offer various programs at the Mudeungsan summit and the Jeungsimsa District Geopark Center, including souvenir giveaways, character mascot photo sessions, and a photo exhibition documenting the re-certification preparation process.

The open course is 0.9 km long, passing through the Seoseokdae columnar joints, the rear gate of the military base, viewing Jiwangbong and Inwangbong peaks, and exiting through the main gate of the base.

Visitors must carry identification to enter the military base at the summit, and only Korean nationals are allowed access.

Due to the nature of the military protection facility zone, photography is only permitted at designated photo zones.

Gwangju City plans to ensure safety by concentrating order guidance personnel in vulnerable areas and preparing 119 emergency vehicles and helicopters for safety management.

To reduce visitor inconvenience caused by illegal parking and maintain order, vehicle control will be enforced at Chungjangsa Samgeori with the cooperation of Buk-gu Office, Dong-gu Office, Bukbu Police Station, and Dongbu Police Station.

Additionally, city buses 1187 and 1187-1 will operate additional services, and temporary parking lots will be utilized at Jangwon Elementary School, Chungminsa, and Chungjangsa, among other multifaceted measures.

The Mudeungsan summit has been restricted to the public since a military base was stationed there in 1966. Since its first opening in 2011 until the fall opening in 2022, about 475,000 people have visited over 25 occasions.

Gwangju City is accelerating the opening of the summit and the relocation of the military base to fully return the Mudeungsan summit to its citizens.

Following the signing of the ‘Mudeungsan Summit Permanent Opening Business Agreement’ last December between Gwangju City, the Air Force 1st Missile Defense Brigade, and the Korea National Park Service, a dedicated team (TF) called ‘Mudeungsan to Citizens’ has been formed to discuss detailed agreements for permanent opening and the schedule for the military base relocation.

Mayor Kang Gi-jung of Gwangju said, “Through the re-certification of the Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark, we will promote Mudeungsan worldwide and strive to secure sustainability. By establishing trails and preparing a roadmap for relocating the Mudeungsan air defense artillery, we will fully return Mudeungsan, a resting place for citizens, to the people through permanent opening.”

Meanwhile, Gwangju City has been highly evaluated by the UNESCO Global Geopark Committee for strong cooperation among Gwangju, Jeonnam, Damyang, and Hwasun, and for promoting the establishment of the UNESCO Global Geopark East Asia Platform, securing elements as a sustainable geopark. It has obtained a ‘Green Card,’ and the re-certification announcement is expected at the end of this month.

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