Jeonnam Province Embarks on Second UNESCO Revalidation of Mudeungsan Geopark

【Financial News Muan=Hwang Taejong Reporter】Jeonnam Province is collaborating with Gwangju Metropolitan City, Damyang County, and Hwasun County to embark on the second UNESCO revalidation of the Mudeungsan Geopark.
 Jeonnam Province announced that a UNESCO field inspection for the revalidation of the Mudeungsan Geopark will be conducted from the 28th to the 31st in the Gwangju, Damyang, and Hwasun areas.
 This inspection involves UNESCO-appointed geopark experts, Nire Kagaya from Japan and Ta Na from China, who will thoroughly examine the implementation of recommendations regarding geological sites, historical and cultural sites, and community cooperation projects in the Mudeungsan area.
 Starting with a welcoming tea meeting at Gwangju City Hall on the first day, the 28th, the schedule includes visits to the Mudeungsan columnar jointing area, the site for the UNESCO Geopark East Asia Platform, the Geovillage Pyeongchon Village on the 29th, the Hwasun dolmen site and Seoyuri dinosaur fossil site on the 30th, and the Damyang Bamboo Garden and Honam Climate Change Experience Center on the 31st.
 Subsequently, a final review of the Mudeungsan Geopark management over the past four years will be conducted at Gwangju City Hall with the field inspection committee and representatives from the four local governments.
 The evaluators will assess various aspects according to the UNESCO Geopark evaluation guidelines, including △geopark education and tourism program operations △collaborative projects with local residents △efforts to preserve geological sites △geopark management structure.


 Meanwhile, the Mudeungsan Geopark was certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2018 and passed its first revalidation in 2023.
 The four local governments of Gwangju, Jeonnam, Damyang, and Hwasun have decided to embark on the second revalidation this year and submitted a report, self-assessment, and supporting documents containing operational achievements to UNESCO in January.
 Previously, in September last year, they attended the 8th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Conference held at the Cao Bang Global Geopark in Vietnam, presented the achievements of the Mudeungsan Geopark, and strengthened international exchange and cooperation by signing agreements with the Cao Bang Global Geopark and the Yuntai Mountain Global Geopark in China.
 To achieve the second revalidation, a certain score must be obtained to receive a 'Green Card' judgment, and the results will be finalized at the UNESCO Executive Board meeting in April 2026, following the review by the Global Geoparks Network Council in December. 
 Kim Jeongseop, Director of Environment and Forests at Jeonnam Province, stated, "We expect good results in this field inspection as we have faithfully implemented UNESCO's recommendations for the revalidation of the Mudeungsan Geopark," adding, "We will continue to collaborate with Gwangju City, Damyang County, and Hwasun County to develop the Mudeungsan Geopark into a global brand."

hwangtae@fnnews.com Hwang Taejong Reporter