Geumjeongsan Designated as National Park... First 'Urban National Park' and South Korea's 24th

'Designation and Park Plan for Geumjeongsan National Park' Approved
"Busan Citizens' Long-Held Wish, Fruit of a 20-Year Journey"

Geumjeongsan Mountain has been designated as the 24th national park in South Korea. The long-held wish of Busan citizens for Geumjeongsan to become a national park has finally come to fruition.

The Busan Metropolitan Government (Mayor Park Hyungjoon) announced on October 31 at 1:30 p.m. that the 144th National Park Committee, presided over by the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, passed the 'Designation and Park Plan Decision for Geumjeongsan National Park.'

With this decision, Geumjeongsan, a symbol of Busan, has been designated as 'South Korea's 24th national park.' Notably, it is the first time in 37 years since Sobaeksan in 1987 that an area not previously protected has been newly designated as a national park.

Geumjeongsan is located on the Nakdong Jeongmaek, a core national ecological axis stretching from Taebaeksan in Gangwon Province to the Nakdong River estuary. It is recognized as a representative urban ecological space where nature, history, culture, and citizens' lives coexist.

The view from Geumsaem Spring on Geumjeongsan Mountain.

The total area of Geumjeongsan National Park is 66,859 square kilometers. Of this, 52,136 square kilometers, or 78%, are within six districts of Busan, while 14.723 square kilometers, or 22%, belong to Yangsan City in South Gyeongsang Province. With this designation, the park now includes Baegyangsan Mountain along the Nakdong Jeongmaek.

According to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment's 'Feasibility Study on the Designation of Geumjeongsan National Park,' Geumjeongsan meets the criteria for national park designation in all aspects, including natural ecology, historical and cultural value, and landscape.

The area is home to 1,782 species of wild flora and fauna, including 14 endangered species. There are 71 scenic spots and 127 cultural assets distributed throughout the park. The number of cultural assets is the highest among the 23 national parks nationwide, and the annual number of visitors, at 3.12 million, ranks fifth.

Discussions about designating Geumjeongsan as a national park began in civil society in 2005. The movement gained momentum with a petition signed by 100,000 people in 2014, and became more concrete when the Busan Metropolitan Government made an official proposal to the Ministry of Environment in 2019.

Throughout this process, civil society, environmental organizations, religious communities, experts, and public institutions have continuously promoted public discussion. This achievement is credited to the sustained civic efforts of more than 80 organizations, including the Geumjeongsan National Park Citizens' Promotion Headquarters and the Geumjeongsan National Park Designation Citizens' Network.

Although the designation had been delayed due to the high proportion of private land and complex interests, a decisive turning point came in November last year with the signing of the 'Agreement on Consent for the Designation of Geumjeongsan National Park and Mutual Growth and Development (MOU)' among Beomeosa Temple, the Geumjeongsan National Park Promotion Headquarters, and the Busan Metropolitan Government.

With the cooperation of the religious community, including Beomeosa Temple, and the consent of stakeholders, administrative procedures such as resident briefings and public hearings proceeded swiftly, leading to the final designation.

A fortress wall climbing up Geumjeongsan Mountain.

The Busan Metropolitan Government expects this designation to reinforce the image of Busan as a city where nature and urban life coexist, thereby enhancing the value of the city's brand both domestically and internationally.

In addition, the restoration of cultural heritage and the improvement of historical landscapes in the Geumjeongsan area are expected to help recover the region's historical significance and identity. The number of annual visitors is projected to exceed 4 million, and the designation is anticipated to create jobs through ecological tourism, environmental education, and cultural experiences.

Mayor Park Hyungjoon stated, "The designation of Geumjeongsan National Park is a victory for the Busan community, achieved through the aspirations of its citizens, the persistent efforts of the public sector, and the dedication of the local community. Through Geumjeongsan, Busan will embark on its journey to become South Korea's leading ecological city and a sustainable green city."

Mayor Park also emphasized, "The city will actively support the swift progress of trail maintenance, cultural heritage restoration, ecosystem conservation, and community support projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Korea National Park Service, and the local community. We will make Geumjeongsan the best urban national park in South Korea and a leading model for others to follow."

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