Gyeonggi-do's 'Hwaseong Geopark' Certified as the 16th National Geopark in Korea

Gyeonggi-do's 'Hwaseong Geopark' has been certified as the 16th national geopark in South Korea. It is the second national geopark in Gyeonggi-do, following the Hantan River UNESCO Global Geopark (Pocheon, Yeoncheon, Cheorwon).

According to Gyeonggi-do on the 3rd, the Ministry of Environment's Geopark Committee certified Hwaseong Geopark as a new national geopark on the 29th of last month and selected Baengnyeong and Daecheong National Geoparks as UNESCO Global Geopark candidates.

The Ministry of Environment explained the background for the national geopark certification, stating that Hwaseong Geopark possesses various geosites with academic value and has excellent connections with historical, ecological, and cultural resources, which is expected to contribute to regional tourism development.

The geopark system is a program that preserves and utilizes elements such as geology, nature, culture, and history, which serve as habitats for humans, animals, and plants on Earth, for education and tourism purposes.

Located in the areas of Songsan-myeon, Seosin-myeon, and Ujeong-eup in Hwaseong City (282.5 km²), Hwaseong National Geopark includes eight geosites: Gojong-ri Dinosaur Egg Fossil Site, Ueumdo, Jeongok Port Layered Tuff, Jebudo, Baekmiri Coast, Gungpyeong Port, Ipado, and Gukhwado.

Map of Gyeonggi-do Hwaseong National Geopark

Hwaseong National Geopark is home to the Koreaceratops hwaseongensis skeletal fossil, the first horned dinosaur discovered on the Korean Peninsula and the only dinosaur fossil designated as a natural monument in South Korea. It also contains numerous geologic heritages of international significance, such as faults and folds, which are used as ideal examples of geological phenomena in textbooks.

Additionally, unique marine and wetland ecosystems such as the West Sea tidal flats, coastal wetlands, and Bibong Wetlands serve as important habitats for endangered wildlife species like the swan goose, oriental stork, white-tailed eagle, and hawks. Through this, Hwaseong National Geopark is recognized as a region of very high value not only geologically but also biologically.

Gyeonggi-do and Hwaseong City have made efforts to obtain national geopark certification since being selected as a candidate site in July 2022, including operating geopark experience education programs, running geopark guides, holding community meetings, and producing educational videos.

Gyeonggi-do plans to develop Hwaseong National Geopark into a representative tourist destination in the metropolitan area by utilizing the high-value geological and natural heritage certified by the government, linking geological exploration with ecological tourism.

This year, to enhance visitor convenience, a marine trail will be established in the Jeongok Port layered tuff area, and the beautiful geosites will be promoted through various media such as buses and subways.

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