Gyeongbuk Province and Uiseong County Entire Area Selected as Candidate Site for National Geopark Certification

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongsangbuk-do announced on the 26th that it held a Geological Park Operation Committee meeting at the provincial office and selected the entire administrative district of Uiseong-gun (1175㎢) as a candidate site for national geopark certification.

The Uiseong National Geopark candidate site includes seven geological attractions such as Geumseongsan Mountain, Jeori Dinosaur Footprints, and Gusan-dong Tuff (a rock formed by volcanic ejecta), as well as five non-geological attractions with historical, cultural, and ecological value, including the Geumseongsan Ancient Tombs and Nakdanbo.

After comprehensively reviewing and supplementing the deliberated and resolved contents on the day, Gyeongbuk Province plans to submit the Uiseong National Geopark certification application to the Ministry of Environment within this month.

It is expected to take more than two years to obtain the final national geopark certification. If the application passes the review by the Ministry of Environment's Geopark Committee (chaired by the Vice Minister of Environment), it will be granted conditions for final certification and designated as a national geopark certification candidate site. At this time, conditions for certification are imposed, and within a two-year period, these conditions must be met to pass another on-site inspection and review by the Ministry of Environment's Geopark Committee.

The new certification of national and UNESCO Global Geoparks is expected by Gyeongbuk Province not only to create new regional brand value but also to significantly contribute to increasing tourists, boosting sales of various local products linked to geological tourism programs, and creating jobs and increasing income for residents.

Kang Seong-jo, Deputy Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, stated, "Since the designation of Cheongsong as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2017, autumn tourists have increased by 38% compared to the previous year, showing that geopark certification raises regional brand value and greatly contributes to revitalizing local tourism," adding, "We will strive to further activate geoparks within the province."