[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] 'Getbol, Korean Tidal Flat,' a rare treasure trove of biodiversity home to 2,150 species including endangered migratory birds, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The 44th World Heritage Committee (WHC), held both online and in Fuzhou, China, registered the Korean Tidal Flat as a Natural Heritage site on the 26th.
The Korean Tidal Flat, which had received a 'Defer' recommendation?the third level in the four-stage evaluation system?from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the advisory and review body for natural world heritage, succeeded in being inscribed by advancing two levels at the World Heritage Committee. This is the first case in which Korea has successfully inscribed a heritage site without withdrawing it after receiving a deferment.
The Korean Tidal Flat heritage site comprises tidal flats located in four areas: Seocheon in Chungnam, Gochang in Jeonbuk, Sinan in Jeonnam, and Boseong-Suncheon in Jeonnam. Sinan Tidal Flat is the largest at 1,100 km², while the other tidal flats each cover around 60 km². All are protected wetland areas, with some designated as Ramsar wetlands.
According to the Korean Tidal Flat World Heritage Inscription Promotion Team, the Korean Tidal Flat is home to 22 species of endangered waterbirds and 5 species of marine invertebrates, including 47 endemic species such as the mudflat crab.
Representative endangered species include the Black-faced Spoonbill, Oriental Stork, Hooded Crane, and the finless porpoise, a small dolphin. Additionally, the Korean Tidal Flat serves as a key stopover site on the East Asia-Australasia migratory bird flyway.
With the successful inscription of the Korean Tidal Flat, the number of World Heritage sites held by Korea has increased to 15.
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