Evaluation Team to Conduct On-Site Inspection in Gwangju, Damyang, and Hwasun from July 28 to 31
Review of Four Years of Operations Including Community Cooperation Projects
Expectations for International Cooperation with Cao Bang in Vietnam and Yuntaishan in China
Jeonnam Province, Gwangju City, Damyang County, and Hwasun County are set to pursue a second revalidation of the Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark.
On July 19, Jeonnam Province announced that a UNESCO on-site inspection for the revalidation of the Mudeungsan Global Geopark will be conducted over four days from July 28 to July 31 in the Gwangju, Damyang, and Hwasun areas.
This inspection will involve Nire Kagaya from Japan and Ta Na from China, both geopark experts appointed by UNESCO. They will comprehensively assess the implementation of recommendations, including geological sites, historical and cultural landmarks, and community cooperation projects within the Mudeungsan area.
The on-site inspection will begin with a welcome tea meeting at Gwangju City Hall on July 28. On July 29, the itinerary includes the Mudeungsan columnar jointing site, the planned site for the UNESCO Global Geopark East Asia Platform, and the Geo-Village Pyeongchon Village. On July 30, the team will visit the Hwasun Dolmen Site and Seoyuri Dinosaur Fossil Site, followed by Damyang Juknokwon Bamboo Garden and the Honam Climate Change Experience Center on July 31.
Afterward, a final assessment of the Mudeungsan Global Geopark's management over the past four years will be conducted in a meeting room at Gwangju City Hall, where the inspection committee and representatives from the four local governments will review findings from the on-site evaluation.
The evaluators will assess overall aspects according to UNESCO Global Geopark evaluation guidelines, including the operation of geopark education and tourism programs, cooperation projects with local residents, efforts to preserve geological sites, and the management structure of the geopark.
The Mudeungsan Global Geopark was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2018. After passing its first revalidation in 2023, it is now seeking its second revalidation this year.
Accordingly, the four local governments of Gwangju, Jeonnam, Damyang, and Hwasun submitted a report on operational achievements, a self-assessment, and supporting documents to UNESCO in January.
In addition, in September last year, they attended the 8th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium held at the Cao Bang Global Geopark in Vietnam, where they presented the achievements of the Mudeungsan Global Geopark. They also strengthened international cooperation by signing MOUs with the Cao Bang Global Geopark and the Yuntaishan Global Geopark in China.
The results of the evaluation will be reviewed by the Global Geoparks Network Council in December, and the final announcement will be made by the UNESCO Executive Board in April 2026. To achieve revalidation, the park must earn a certain score or higher and receive a "green card" rating.
Kim Jungseop, Director of the Environment and Forest Bureau of Jeonnam Province, said, "We have faithfully implemented UNESCO's recommendations for the revalidation of the Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark, and we expect positive results from this on-site inspection."
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