Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark Joins Geofood Network... First in Korea

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 20th that the Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark has become the first in Korea to join the 'GEOfood' network.

So far, a total of 17 UNESCO Global Geoparks from 10 countries including Portugal, Italy, and Finland have joined, and it is the third in Asia following Malaysia and Iran.

'GEOfood' is a local food brand established and operated since 2015 by the Magma UNESCO Global Geopark in Norway. It promotes co-growth by applying an international brand to agricultural products, foods, and beverages cultivated or produced in the geopark area.

The GEOfood network proceeds with the membership process after a preliminary investigation by the operating body, Magma Global Geopark, evaluates that the geopark's products are eligible.

The Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark was evaluated to have sufficient qualifications for membership after reviewing seven cooperative products including Mudol Market Dongdongju, traditional tofu, lotus leaf tea, and Hwangchil Baeksuk in February last year.

Norway's GEOfood welcomed the Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark's membership along with all 16 global geoparks and is actively promoting the park by posting photos of representative geological sites such as Mudeungsan Seoseokdae, Ipseokdae, Hwasun Seoyuri Dinosaur Fossil Site, and Jeokbyeok on the GEOfood-operated homepage, Facebook, Instagram, and other social networking systems (SNS).

The Green City Project Office has been promoting product and program development through continuous resident meetings with the Mudeungsan area’s own brand 'GeoBrand', the geopark-specialized village (GeoVillage) Cheongpung Village, and geopark cooperative companies (GeoPartners) to strengthen local resident cooperation projects.

Starting this year, the office plans to actively promote local products domestically and internationally by using small signs and product packaging featuring the official GEOfood network logo, aiming to increase residents' income.

Jung Ju-hyung, head of the city's Green City Project Office, said, "This GEOfood membership means that the Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark and our local food will be known worldwide in Europe, South America, and beyond, beyond just a simple brand." He added, "We expect that exchanges with advanced European geoparks will increase income generation for local residents."