Lee Hyo-sik is Finance Desk editor at The Korea Times. He manages finance-related stories on macroeconomics, banks, stocks, bonds, crypto etc. He is passionate about covering what's happening in Korea's financial industry and explaining it to both Korean and non-Korean readers. You can reach him at leehs@koreatimes.co.kr. Your insights and feedbacks are always appreciated.
Jeju vying to become one of 7 Wonders of Nature
By Lee Hyo-sik
By Lee Hyo-sik
Jeju Island is appealing to both Koreans and foreigners to pick Korea’s southern resort island as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
The country’s largest island is one of 28 finalists competing with natural wonders including the Amazon, Dead Sea, Galapagos Islands, Grand Canyon, Great Barrier Reef, Iguazu Falls and Kilimanjaro. The island needs active participation not only from Koreans, but also Chinese, Japanese and other Asians who have visited and enjoyed its beauty as it is currently running in 13th place. Foreigners in Korea and foreign tourists to the island are strongly encouraged to join in the online voting because they receive heavy weighting.
The voting is now underway and will run through Nov. 11 for the selection of the final seven. Those who want to vote for Jeju can do so online at (www.new7wonders.com) or by making a phone call to 1588-7715.
The contest has been organized by a Switzerland-based nonprofit organization, New7Wonders, since 2007 in an attempt to raise awareness on environmental preservation under the campaign “Our Heritage Is Our Future.”
Former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, chairman of the National Committee for Jeju New7Wonders of Nature, said Jeju is undervalued and under-appreciated worldwide.
He said if crowned a New7Wonders of Nature, the island will enjoy substantial benefits which will last from generation to generation, adding it will stimulate tourism and upgrade the prestige and brand image of South Korea.
Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Woo Keun-min said the island will play a leading role as an environmental capital of the world if it is crowned as one of the New7Wonders of Nature
Jeju made it to the final round on Dec. 31 by becoming one of the 28 finalists out of 440 preliminary contenders.
By taking the online voting into account, a panel of experts created a list of 28 candidates from which voters worldwide will now choose the New Seven Wonders of Nature.