On the 13th, Incheon City held a special task force (TF) meeting to promote the UNESCO certification of Baengnyeong and Daecheong Global Geopark in earnest.
According to the city, the TF, which consists of 29 organizations, was formed in September last year and holds full meetings quarterly. This meeting was the first since Baengnyeong and Daecheong Geopark was selected as a UNESCO Global Geopark candidate by the Ministry of Environment last month, with about 20 organizations and departments from Incheon City, Ongjin County, and related institutions attending.
The meeting discussed cooperation plans to raise awareness among Baengnyeong and Daecheong residents, meet the requirements for Global Geopark certification, and revitalize the local economy and tourism.
A special task force (TF) meeting for the certification of Baengnyeong and Daecheong World Geopark was held on the 13th in the conference room of Incheon City Hall, chaired by Kim Eul-su, Director of the Incheon Maritime and Aviation Bureau. [Photo by Incheon City]
UNESCO Global Geoparks are special areas that protect geologically valuable sites and landscapes worldwide and manage them for climate change and geological disaster education as well as sustainable development. Currently, there are 195 sites in 48 countries, and South Korea has five certified Global Geoparks, including Jeju Island and Cheongsong.
Incheon City applied to the Ministry of Environment in June last year to certify the Baengnyeong, Daecheong, and Socheongdo areas, designated as a national geopark in 2019, as a UNESCO Global Geopark, and was recently selected as a domestic candidate site.
Although this area covers a small area of 66㎢, it boasts outstanding scenery and numerous geological heritages comparable to world natural heritage sites. Due to its geological characteristics and geographical location different from the mainland, it holds clues to the evolution process of the East Asian crust. Notably, it contains Neoproterozoic rocks dating from 1 billion to 700 million years ago, which are rarely observed on the Korean Peninsula. The oldest stromatolites (fossils formed by cyanobacteria activity) in Korea were also discovered here.
To receive UNESCO Global Geopark certification, 101 certification requirements must be met, including identifying international geological value, establishing infrastructure, cooperative projects involving local community members, and educational activities related to cultural heritage.
The city plans to achieve the certification requirements through TF operations and cooperation with related institutions, submit a letter of intent for the Global Geopark in June, and submit the official application to UNESCO in November. Afterwards, it aims for final approval by the UNESCO Executive Board in 2026 following written and on-site evaluations next year.
Kim Eulsu, Director of the Marine and Aviation Bureau of Incheon City, said, "Through full-scale TF operations, we will establish a cooperative system among related institutions to secure the international value brand of UNESCO Global Geopark." He added, "If Baengnyeong, Daecheong, and Socheongdo are certified as Global Geoparks, it will contribute to revitalizing the local economy along with the upcoming Baengnyeong Airport."
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