Jeonbuk West Coast Global Geopark's UNESCO Certification Extended Through 2031

Unanimously Passes First Revalidation by UNESCO Global Geoparks Council
Plans to Expand Certified Area Beyond Gochang and Buan to Include the Gogunsan Islands

The coastal scenery and geological heritage of Gochang and Buan in Jeonbuk have once again been recognized for their global value. The Jeonbuk West Coast area, designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, has passed its first revalidation and will retain its international certification through 2031.

Gochang Tidal Flat, designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Provided by the Jeonbuk State Government.

According to Jeonbuk State on November 11, the revalidation proposal for the Jeonbuk West Coast Global Geopark was unanimously approved at the 11th session of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, from November 2 to 4.

In the review, the Jeonbuk West Coast Global Geopark received a “Green” rating, allowing it to retain its certification for four years without any additional conditions. As a result, it will maintain its UNESCO Global Geopark status from May 2027, when its current certification expires, through May 2031.

The Jeonbuk West Coast Global Geopark covers 1,892.5 square kilometers across Gochang and Buan. It is Korea’s first coastal Global Geopark and received UNESCO certification in May 2023. It includes 32 geological sites, among them Chaeseokgang and Jeokbyeokgang in Buan, which preserve tens of millions of years of geological history, as well as Gochang’s Ungok Wetland and Byeongbawi.

Buan Solseom, designated a UNESCO Global Geopark. Provided by Jeonbuk State Government.

Chaeseokgang is a coastal cliff formed as waves eroded layers of rock deposited over a long period, creating a landscape that looks like tens of thousands of books stacked together. Ungok Wetland is a wetland where the natural ecosystem has recovered, offering visitors a chance to explore geological heritage and the ecological environment together.

UNESCO Global Geopark status is not permanent once granted. Every four years, geoparks must be evaluated on the condition of their geological heritage, the operation of educational and tourism programs, community participation, and other criteria.

In this revalidation, the geopark received favorable evaluations for improving the tourism environment by expanding geological trails and visitor facilities; operating educational programs that link geological, ecological, historical, and cultural resources; and developing hands-on programs involving local residents while working to generate income.

The effort to connect the area with the local economy by enabling tourists to experience the value of nature firsthand, rather than focusing solely on conserving geological heritage, appears to have contributed to the renewal of its certification.

A scene from the on-site evaluation of the West Coast Global Geopark last May. Provided by the Jeonbuk State Government.

Jeonbuk State plans to expand the Global Geopark from Gochang and Buan to include the Gogunsan Islands in Gunsan, following the revalidation.

Starting in 2027, the province will pursue an expansion of the UNESCO-certified area to cover the Gogunsan Islands, including Maldo and Seonyudo.

The Gogunsan Islands are a leading marine tourism destination on the west coast, where large and small islands form a picturesque group. If the area is included in the Global Geopark, it is expected to help develop broader tourism routes connecting the coastal geological sites of Gochang and Buan with Gunsan’s island attractions.

However, expanding the certified area to include the Gogunsan Islands will require the relevant UNESCO procedures and reviews. Whether the expansion proceeds will therefore depend on the results of further evaluations.

Lee Suntak, head of the Environment and Forestry Bureau at Jeonbuk State, said, “We will expand the certified area to include the Gogunsan Islands and develop a range of visitor programs so that Jeonbuk’s geological resources along the west coast can become a driving force for regional growth. We will also strengthen exchanges with Global Geoparks overseas and develop the area into an internationally recognized geological tourism destination.”

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