Yanggu County Receives Presidential Citation for Contributions to National Heritage Protection

At the 2nd National Heritage Day ceremony, held by the National Heritage Administration at the National Heritage Promotion Agency on December 9, the Yanggu County Goral and Musk Deer Center will receive the Presidential Citation in recognition of its achievements in the preservation and research of natural monuments.

Aerial view of Yanggu County Office.

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This award is given in acknowledgment of the center's significant contributions to the conservation of Korea's natural heritage through the protection and research of the goral and musk deer, both designated as natural monuments.

Since its opening in 2007, the Yanggu Goral and Musk Deer Center has conducted systematic conservation activities, including breeding, habitat stabilization, rescue, and restoration projects, all based on professional research and protection of the goral and musk deer. In addition, the center has helped raise awareness of the importance of preserving natural monuments and strengthened the foundation for natural heritage protection through winter feeding programs and public outreach campaigns.

Currently, the center is protecting 46 gorals, which are designated as natural monuments. It is also continuously conducting monitoring, surveys, and research in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and along the Baekdudaegan mountain range to restore musk deer populations. These conservation efforts provide a crucial foundation for the long-term preservation of the nation's natural heritage and for passing on intact ecological resources to future generations.

Park Hyunjung, Director of the Tourism and Culture Division, stated, "The goral and musk deer are important natural heritage not only for our region, but for the entire nation. We will continue to work closely with the National Heritage Administration to maintain ongoing conservation and restoration activities, and we will diligently provide the necessary support and management for natural heritage protection."

Meanwhile, "National Heritage Day" was established as an annual commemoration on December 9 by the National Heritage Basic Act (enforced on May 17, 2024) to promote understanding of national heritage and raise public awareness of its protection. December 9 also marks the day in 1995 when Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, the Janggyeong Panjeon of Haeinsa Temple, and Jongmyo Shrine were inscribed as Korea's first UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This year marks both the second National Heritage Day and the 30th anniversary of Korea's first World Heritage inscriptions. The ceremony, held under the theme "Our Heritage, Together with the World into the Future," will be attended by Heo Min, Administrator of the National Heritage Administration, national heritage protection awardees, and approximately 200 other participants.

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