3 PM on the 26th at Beomeosa Temple, Mayor Park Hyung-jun, Beomeosa Head Monk, Geumjeong-gu Mayor, and Representative of Geumjeongsan National Park Citizens' Promotion Headquarters
Mayor Park: "I hope everyone will unite to advance Busan's charm and beauty as a global hub city."
On the 26th at 3 PM, Busan City will sign a "Business Agreement for the Mutual Development of Geumjeongsan Mountain and Beomeosa Temple" at Beomeosa (Bojeru Pavilion).
This agreement was prepared to establish a cooperative relationship for the mutual development of Geumjeongsan Mountain and Beomeosa Temple.
Attending the signing ceremony are Mayor Park Hyung-jun, Jeong Oh, head monk of Beomeosa Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Geumjeong Head Temple, Yoon Il-hyun, head of Geumjeong District Office, and Kang Jong-in, representative of the Geumjeongsan Citizens Promotion Headquarters.
The need to designate Geumjeongsan as a national park was first raised in 2006, and in 2014, a citizen petition campaign with 100,000 signatures wishing for the national park designation began, marking the start of active public aspiration.
Accordingly, the city officially requested the Ministry of Environment for national park designation in 2019. However, since then, the process has faced numerous obstacles during consultations with key stakeholders including Beomeosa Temple, Gyeongnam Province, Yangsan City, six autonomous districts of Busan, and residents, resulting in a stalemate lasting over a decade.
Recently, however, Beomeosa Temple has taken a progressive stance, regarding the designation of Geumjeongsan National Park as a valuable endeavor for the local community and citizens, marking a turning point in the national park designation process. Thanks to the consistent aspirations and efforts of the citizens, the designation of Geumjeongsan National Park is gaining momentum.
The city, Beomeosa Temple, and related organizations plan to officially agree on the designation of Geumjeongsan National Park through this agreement and promise mutual cooperation for the preservation and development of Beomeosa Temple’s monastic environment.
The agreement includes mutual joint efforts for the mutual development of Geumjeongsan and Beomeosa, such as ▲ agreement and cooperation on the designation of Geumjeongsan, the true mountain (眞山) of Busan, as a national park ▲ support for the creation of forest trails and hiking paths to preserve Beomeosa’s monastic environment and prevent forest fires ▲ and the establishment of development plans for Beomeosa Temple and its surrounding areas.
The city expects Geumjeongsan to become the first urban national park in Korea easily accessible from the city center, as it met the national park designation criteria following a feasibility study by the Ministry of Environment in September 2021, which evaluated it as having top-level cultural resources and beautiful natural environments nationwide.
Geumjeongsan is home to 63 nationally designated cultural assets, including the Samguk Yusa, Geumjeongsanseong Fortress, and a wisteria colony at Beomeosa Temple (a natural monument).
If designated as a national park, Geumjeongsan is expected to enhance Busan’s city brand value, boost residents’ pride, and revitalize the local economy through increased visitors. In particular, its outstanding natural environment and cultural resources can be managed and preserved more systematically, ensuring a sustainable green city of Busan for future generations.
Following the designation procedures under the Natural Parks Act, the city will conduct a public inspection notice for residents from the 25th until December 31st. Subsequently, it plans to proceed sequentially with a residents’ public hearing (December 11), consultations with related ministries, and review by the National Park Committee, aiming for the designation of Geumjeongsan National Park in 2025.
Jeong Oh, head monk of Beomeosa Temple, said, “The designation of Geumjeongsan National Park is a very valuable endeavor for the local community and citizens. We have great expectations and confidence, and although our contribution is small, Beomeosa Temple is very pleased to be able to participate in this meaningful work.”
Mayor Park Hyung-jun stated, “Once Geumjeongsan is designated as a national park, Geumjeongsan and Beomeosa Temple will be established as representative national park and temple of Korea, widely promoting Busan’s charm and beauty externally, which will further empower Busan as a global hub city. I ask all citizens and everyone present here to continue sharing this intention until the designation of Geumjeongsan National Park can be realized in the first half of next year.”
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