UNESCO Global Geoparks, Danyang, scenic coastal area and Mount Paektu, shine as natural treasures

Columnar joints in Daljeon-ri, Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province are seen in this undated file photo. The Gyeongbuk Donghaean Geopark was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark last Thursday. Courtesy of North Gyeongsang Province

South Korea's natural beauty received global recognition with the addition of two new UNESCO Global Geoparks — the picturesque Danyang region in the central part of Korea and the scenic coastal area of North Gyeongsang Province in the southeast — along with a third designation recognizing Mount Paektu on the North Korea-China border.

These iconic locations join South Korea's existing geological treasures, including Jeju's volcanic wonders, Cheongsong's deep gorges, Mount Mudeung's unique rock formations, the Hantan River's basalt cliffs and the vast tidal flats of the West Sea.

The sites were officially designated as UNESCO Global Geoparks last week during the 221st session of UNESCO's Executive Board meeting in Paris. The recognition further strengthens South Korea’s reputation as a land of rich geological diversity with a commitment to sustainable development. The additions give Korea a total of seven UNESCO Global Geoparks.

To earn this status, UNESCO requires sites to demonstrate geological heritage of international value, proper management and a commitment to sustainable local development through geotourism.

With its distinctive limestone terrain — marked by caves formed through the erosion of soluble rock — Danyang is regarded as one of the most significant sites for studying the tectonic history of the Korean Peninsula. Its geological layers span 1.3 billion years, with the caves providing valuable clues about ancient climates and preserving evidence of Earth’s mass extinction events.

One of the region’s most iconic limestone formations is the Dodamsambong Peaks — three cone-shaped pillars that rise sharply from the river. They offer a striking example of a limestone erosion landscape, shaped over time by the slow, persistent effects of water and weathering.

The Dodamsambong Peaks are seen in this Jan. 19, 2016, photo. Korea Times file

Unlike other regions where only portions of the administrative area received the designation, the full 781 square kilometers of Danyang was recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

The county plans to leverage its designation as a springboard to attract more tourists and develop a variety of activities, including geotourism programs and informative workshops.

“I believe our geological treasures will draw global attention and make a significant contribution to the local economy,” North Chungcheong Province Gov. Kim Young-hwan said.

The Gyeongbuk Donghaean Geopark in North Gyeongsang Province spans approximately 2,629 square kilometers along the East Sea, covering Uljin, Yeongdeok, Pohang and Gyeongju. It is the country’s largest Cenozoic fossil site and contains key evidence of East Asia’s tectonic framework and volcanic activity.

Around 15 million years ago, when the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Archipelago separated, 29 sites across the land and sea in this region were left with distinct geological traces. These include volcanic formations, such as the columnar joints in Daljeon-ri, Pohang, and Mount Cheolam in Yeongdeok, where fossils formed from organisms buried in sediments that accumulated in the rift between the peninsula and the archipelago.

North Gyeongsang Province and the four municipalities along the geopark’s coastline established a dedicated management body, expanded geological tourism infrastructure and operated educational and hands-on programs to meet UNESCO requirements.

“This designation is the result of a decade of effort by the provincial government, four municipalities and local residents, beginning with our application for national geopark status in 2015,” said Lee Kyung-gon, a provincial official in charge of environmental protection.

The province has long been recognized for the geological significance of its natural features. With Gyeongbuk Donghaean (the coastal region of North Gyeongsang Province), Ulleungdo and Dokdo, Uiseong and Cheongsong, the province is home to a total of four National Geoparks — the most of any region in South Korea. Notably, Cheongsong National Geopark was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2017.

Mount Paektu on the North Korean-Chinese border is seen in this Nov. 22, 2024, photo. Korea Times photo by Park Jun-kyu

The designation of the North Korean side of Mount Paektu marks the first time Pyongyang has received such a recognition. Located on the border between North Korea and China, the mountain is divided under a 1964 treaty, with 54.5 percent of its summit belonging to North Korea and 45.5 percent to China.

Last year, the Chinese side of the mountain was added to the list. With the inclusion of the North Korean territory this time, the entire region is now recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

The 2,744-meter active stratovolcano features a caldera lake known as Cheonji, formed by a massive volcanic eruption. It is regarded as a spiritual symbol of the Korean people, famously mentioned in the opening line of "Aegukga," South Korea’s national anthem: “Until that day when the waters of the East Sea run dry and Mount Paektu is worn away, God protect and preserve our nation; hurrah to Korea."

It is also revered in North Korea, with the ruling Kim family referred to as the “Paektu bloodline,” underscoring the mountain’s symbolic and sacred status in the regime’s ideology.

Pyongyang sought the status listing for the mountain in 2019, a year before Beijing, but received the designation later due to delays in the on-site evaluation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Properly preserving the site after designation is just as important as the initial recognition, as UNESCO Global Geoparks undergo revalidation every four years. If they fail to meet the required standards, the designation can be revoked.

There are 213 Global Geoparks across 48 countries, recognized not only for their geological features but also for their archaeological, historical and cultural significance.