Incheon City announced on the 20th that it will submit an application to the Ministry of Environment in the first half of this year to have Baengnyeong and Daecheong National Geoparks certified as UNESCO Global Geoparks.
The city plans to formally submit the application to UNESCO next year if the Ministry of Environment selects Baengnyeongdo and Daecheongdo as candidates for Global Geoparks.
In 2025, the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and the UNESCO evaluation team are scheduled to conduct value assessments and on-site inspections. The city aims for final approval in 2026 after review by the UNESCO Executive Board.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas that protect sites and landscapes of international geological significance and are specially managed for education on climate change and geological disasters, as well as sustainable development. As of last year, 177 sites in 46 countries have been certified as Global Geoparks.
Located in the West Sea Five Islands and the northwesternmost point, Baengnyeong, Daecheong, and Socheong Islands cover a small area of 66㎢ but boast outstanding scenery and numerous geological heritages comparable to world natural heritage sites. Due to their unique geological characteristics and geographical location distinct from the mainland, they hold clues to the evolutionary process of the East Asian crust and were certified as National Geoparks in July 2019.
Especially after being certified as National Geoparks, newly developed geological attractions such as the basalt at Jinchon-ri on Baengnyeongdo, and Bunbawi and Woltti on Socheongdo have become new tourist resources contributing to regional economic revitalization.
Bunbawi is a place where white limestone has been transformed into marble under high pressure. It appears white as if dust has been sprinkled on it, hence the name 'Bunbawi' (Dust Rock). Here, there are stromatolite fossils, traces of Korea's earliest life forms (cyanobacteria) from one billion years ago.
Also, when viewed from the sea at night under moonlight, Socheongdo is surrounded by a white band, which is why it is called 'Woltti' (Moon Band).
Incheon City is currently promoting projects to meet the essential certification requirements, such as identifying international geological values and establishing a Geopark Center, based on the 'UNESCO Global Geopark Certification Promotion Strategy' established last year.
They are also preparing conservation plans for the coastal dunes of Okjuk-dong, Daecheongdo, to ensure sustainable use of geological sites.
Additionally, various programs are being prepared to raise the international profile of Baengnyeong and Daecheong, including domestic and international symposiums and academic conferences, international promotional activities, the creation of an English website, and preliminary on-site inspections.
Yoon Hyun-mo, Director of the Marine and Aviation Bureau of the city, said, "The geopark, which combines the excellent geological terrain and unique ecological, environmental, and cultural resources of Baengnyeong, Daecheong, and Socheong Islands, is expected to contribute to regional development by linking with the car ferry scheduled to operate this year between Baengnyeong, Daecheong, and Socheong, and Baengnyeong Airport, which is planned to open in 2027."
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