Hantan River Successfully Re-Designated as UNESCO Global Geopark

Maintaining Global Geopark Status Until the End of 2027
Plans for Exchange Meetings Among 5 Related Local Governments Including Gangwon-do and Cheorwon-gun

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on the 19th that the ‘Hantangang UNESCO Global Geopark,’ recognized for its unique volcanic terrain centered around the Hantangang River and its value as a historical resource, which was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2020, has successfully been re-designated.

Gangwon Province is promoting the development of a new tourism industry.

The UNESCO Global Geopark Council conducted an on-site evaluation in July last year to review the management and operation status of the Hantangang Global Geopark, and at the final UNESCO Global Geopark Board meeting, awarded the ‘Green Card,’ indicating a strong likelihood of re-designation. Then, from the 8th to the 15th of this month, at the 8th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) Symposium held in Cao Bang, Vietnam, the certificate confirming the re-designation was officially presented.

The Hantangang Global Geopark has maintained the status of a global geopark until 2027 by faithfully implementing the recommendations presented by UNESCO at the time of its initial designation in 2020 over the past four years, and receiving excellent evaluations for local resident participation, including the operation of geo-partners.

A scene of awarding the certificate confirming the final re-designation of Hantangang World Geopark at the "8th Asia-Pacific Geopark Network (APGN) Symposium" held in Cao Bang, Vietnam, from the 8th to the 15th.

An Jung-gi, Director of the Gangwon Province Forest Environment Bureau, stated, “We plan to actively utilize the internationally recognized brand of the Hantangang Global Geopark to promote continuous public-private cooperation so that regional economic revitalization and resident income generation can be linked.”

Meanwhile, to commemorate this re-designation, five related local governments (Gangwon Province, Gyeonggi Province, Cheorwon County, Yeoncheon County, and Pocheon City) plan to hold exchange meetings to discover and operate new ultra-wide-area projects utilizing the Hantangang UNESCO Global Geopark.