[One Day, One Thousand Characters] Mudeungsan Summit Opened for the First Time in 57 Years

Mudeungsan (無等山) is the main mountain of Gwangju and Jeonnam and the central mountain range of Honam Jeongmaek. In March 2013, it was designated as South Korea's 21st national park. The total area is 75.425㎢. Mudeungsan, with an elevation of 1,187 meters, means "a mountain that is incomparable in height and size" or "a noble mountain beyond ranking."

The summit, where the highest peak Cheonwangbong (1,187m) is located, consists of three peaks including Jiwangbong and Inwangbong. Vertical columnar jointed rocks such as Seoseokdae, Ipseokdae, and Gwangseokdae rise like stone fences, creating a spectacular view. The ecological scenery is distinct in all four seasons: azaleas in spring, daylilies in summer, autumn foliage and silver grass in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter. It boasts an excellent ecosystem inhabited by endangered wild species such as otters, flying squirrels, and the orchid species Eurumnancho. Among the three summit peaks of Mudeungsan, which had been restricted as military facilities since 1966, Inwangbong has returned to the citizens of Gwangju after 57 years.

Gwang-Jeong Kang, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, is delivering a greeting at the 'Mudeungsan Summit Permanent Opening Ceremony' held on the morning of September 23 at Seoseokdae area of Mudeungsan.
[Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City]

The Gwangju Metropolitan City and Mudeungsan National Park Office opened Inwangbong for permanent access starting at 10 a.m. on the 23rd. The permanently open section is a 390-meter round-trip course from the Seoseokdae columnar joint to the Inwangbong observatory, passing beside the rear gate of the military base. The trail width is 1.8 meters to minimize inconvenience for visitors passing through.

About 500 people, including Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung, attended the opening ceremony held at Seoseokdae to celebrate the permanent opening of Mudeungsan’s summit. Mayor Kang demanded permanent access to the summit from the Air Force and other authorities immediately after taking office last year and promptly put it into action. Gwangju City, the Korea National Park Service, and the Air Force’s 1st Missile Defense Brigade signed a "Memorandum of Understanding for the Permanent Opening of Mudeungsan Summit" and formed a working-level consultative body to cooperate and swiftly prepare for the complex administrative procedures and trail construction. In particular, the Korea National Park Service actively planned and prepared for the permanent opening and will continue to work together on the restoration of Mudeungsan’s summit.

Gwang-gi Jeong, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, is attending the 'Mudeungsan Summit Permanent Opening Ceremony' held on the morning of September 23 at Seoseokdae area of Mudeungsan.
[Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City]

President Yoon Suk-yeol also sent a congratulatory message to the citizens of Gwangju. President Yoon said, "The long-cherished wish of the citizens of Gwangju to open the summit of Mudeungsan has finally been realized," and "I sincerely congratulate the return of the summit of Mudeungsan, which had been restricted for 57 years, to the citizens." He added, "I hope Mudeungsan will continue to be loved by the citizens of Gwangju for a long time," further highlighting the significance of the permanent opening of Mudeungsan’s summit.

Mayor Kang Gi-jung of Gwangju said, "It feels great to remove the barbed wire from Mudeungsan after 57 years and climb to the summit," and "This day marks the moment when Mudeungsan finally regains its status recognized by South Korea and the world, 10 years after being designated a national park and 5 years after being certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark. We will continue to make efforts so that more citizens can fully enjoy Mudeungsan through the relocation of the air defense artillery base."

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