Cheongsong County in North Gyeongsang Province will undergo an on-site evaluation for the revalidation of the Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark from July 4 to July 7.
This revalidation on-site evaluation will assess whether the recommendations made during the previous UNESCO Global Geopark revalidation have been implemented and review the park's management and operational status to determine if it can maintain its UNESCO Global Geopark status.
The on-site evaluation team, representing the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council and visiting Cheongsong Global Geopark, consists of Dr. Nakada Setsuya from Japan and Dr. Tanot Unjah from Malaysia. They will check the implementation of recommendations made during the previous revalidation, such as "increasing the visibility of the geopark, expanding educational programs, and strengthening management structures." In addition, they will review essential items for global geoparks, including the conservation of geological heritage, management structures, educational activities, geotourism, and regional cooperation.
The on-site evaluation will begin with an operational status briefing on the 4th and continue until the 7th. The evaluation team plans to visit key attractions in Cheongsong Global Geopark, such as Juwangsan, Baekseoktan, and the dinosaur footprints in Sinseong-ri, as well as geopark partner companies, to observe the efforts and changes made since the last revalidation.
In particular, to showcase the educational programs that received high praise during the previous revalidation, the team will visit Namgwan Life Culture Center and Pacheon Elementary School, a geopark partner school, to observe demonstration programs for seniors and local students.
The decision on revalidation will be made at the APGN (Asia Pacific Geoparks Network) Conference to be held in Vietnam this September, based on the evaluation reports prepared after the on-site assessment.
County Governor Yoon Kyunghee stated, "We have thoroughly prepared for the revalidation on-site evaluation by improving infrastructure and operating various programs," and added, "We will do our utmost not only to achieve the revalidation of the Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark but also to promote tourism using the geopark after revalidation."
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