11 Japanese participants attended a 4-day, 3-night program across Pohang, Gyeongju, and Busan from October 31.

Gyeongsangbuk-do announced that the Gyeongbuk East Coast UNESCO Global Geopark (spanning Pohang, Gyeongju, Yeongdeok, and Uljin) operated the “2026 Global Geo-Ranger” program in partnership with Japan’s San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark for 4 days and 3 nights from October 31 to November 3.

The "Geo-Ranger" program, which had been independently operated by the Gyeongbuk East Coast Geopark, has now expanded into an international cooperative program for the first time. Eleven children and family members from the San'in Kaigan Geopark region in Japan participated, transforming the child-centric geological education into a family-oriented experiential program.

Participants carried out the “Geo Rainbow Hunter” mission. Divided into three teams, they explored geological sites and cultural heritages, capturing seven colors from rocks, coastal landforms, and natural landscapes in photographs to complete a team rainbow. The process involved observing the relationship between geological heritage, the natural environment, and cultural heritage, as well as discovering local stories.

On the first day, participants held an orientation and explored history and culture in Gyeongju. On the second day, they visited the Hwanho Park area, Homigot, and Hindigi in Pohang. On the third day, they explored Bulguksa Temple and the Yangnam Columnar Jointing area while participating in environmental conservation activities such as beachcombing. Afterward, they experienced local culture in Haeundae, Busan, and concluded the schedule on the final day with a completion ceremony to share their team mission results.

Following the Korea-Japan youth geopark exchange held last August, this program expanded its target audience to family units. The Gyeongbuk East Coast Geopark plans to analyze participant satisfaction and operational outcomes to seek ways to continuously operate a two-way exchange program.

Kang Byung-jung, Director-General of the Climate and Environment Bureau of Gyeongsangbuk-do, stated, “This is the starting point for expanding the Geo-Ranger program—which has been developed over a long period in the Gyeongbuk East Coast Geopark—into an international cooperative program in collaboration with the San'in Kaigan Geopark. We will develop this into a new international exchange model where people of all ages, from children to adults, can discover the value of the geological heritage held by the geopark and directly feel the importance of conserving nature and cultural heritage.”

The Gyeongbuk East Coast Geopark was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark on April 17, 2025, and boasts 29 geological sites across the four cities and counties of Pohang, Gyeongju, Yeongdeok, and Uljin.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]