Pocheon City Conducts 'Humanities on the Road' Hantan River Global Geopark Exploration

Pocheon City conducted a "Walk with World Heritage Near Us: Hantangang World Geopark Exploration" at Soheul Library on the 26th.

Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Baek Young-hyun) announced on the 28th that it conducted a "Walk through World Heritage Sites Near Us: Hantangang UNESCO Global Geopark Exploration" at Soheul Library on the 26th.

This exploration was organized following the selection of Soheul Library's "Walk through World Heritage Sites Near Us" project for the "2024 Humanities on the Road" program in May, providing an opportunity to directly experience and understand the value of world heritage.

The Hantangang UNESCO Global Geopark, designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in July 2020, is a notable site with geological and ecological value as well as historical and cultural significance. In September, it was re-certified by UNESCO, reaffirming its importance.

Participants learned about the geology of the Hantangang area through lectures by Kwon Hong-jin, author of the book "A Journey to Hantangang UNESCO Global Geopark," held on the 10th and 17th.

On the 26th, under the guidance of An Rak-gyu, co-author of the same book, participants explored Pocheon’s Bidulginang Waterfall, Hantangang Sky Bridge, Cheorwon’s Milky Way Bridge and Mulwitgil, Songdaeso, and Goseokjeong, receiving explanations about the formation processes of rocks and geology.

One participant said, "Not only the beautiful natural scenery but also the added geological knowledge made me appreciate the charm of Hantangang anew," adding, "I am very proud that Pocheon has a world-class geological site."

A representative from Soheul Library stated, "We hope this exploration served as an opportunity to realize the value of world heritage once again," and added, "Pocheon City Libraries will continue to promote humanities values and strive to make Pocheon a refined city of humanities."

Meanwhile, the "2024 Humanities on the Road" program is hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service and the Korean Library Association, designed to spread humanities values in the daily lives of citizens.

Soheul Library operated the first program on "Changdeokgung Palace" in June and the second on "Joseon Royal Tombs" in September, and conducted the third exploration in October with the theme of "Hantangang UNESCO Global Geopark."

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