By Kim Se-jeong
Mt. Taebaek in Gangwon Province has become the country’s 22nd national park.
According to the Ministry of Environment, a 20-member national park committee decided on Friday to designate the mountain, located in the interior of the province, as a national park.
The designation means that the mountain will come under the care of the national government, granting free access to the public. Currently, each adult visitor to Mt. Taebaek must pay an entrance fee of 2,000 won which goes to the provincial government responsible for conservation and facility management.
The official national park opening is set for Aug. 22.
The mountain with a 1,567-meter-high peak is home to 2,637 wildlife species, among which 26 are endangered, including the fox and marten. The ministry said it will reinforce conservation efforts for the mountain by putting more human resources in place.
Mt. Jiri was the first national park, designated in December 1967. It was followed by Mt. Seorak and Mt. Halla in 1970. National parks which are not based on mountains include Hallyeohaesang National Park, a marine ecosystem which stretches from Geoje Island, South Gyeongsang Province, to Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, and the ancient city of Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province.