Incheon, South Korea – The city of Incheon has officially submitted a bid to UNESCO to designate Baengnyeong, Daecheong, and Socho Islands as a Global Geopark. The application, submitted on November 29th, highlights the region's unique geological features and its potential to become a sustainable tourism destination.
The islands, located in Ongjin County, boast a rich geological history dating back approximately 950 million years. The area is characterized by sedimentary rocks formed during this period, as well as granodiorite formed around 940 million and 880 million years ago, and basalt that erupted about 6 million years ago.
The well-preserved sedimentary rock formations on Baengnyeong and Daecheong Islands provide valuable insights into the formation of a massive igneous body in Northeast Asia 1 billion years ago. Additionally, the discovery of stromatolites, ancient fossilized microbial mats, on Socho Island dating back 800 million years further enhances the region's geological significance.
UNESCO is expected to review the application by April next year and conduct a field visit between May and August. The final decision will be made at the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council meeting in April 2026.
The application submitted by Incheon City highlights the region's international significance, infrastructure development, and community engagement. The section on international significance includes references to international academic papers published in SCI(E) journals that support the geological importance of the area. The infrastructure development section outlines plans for the construction of an ecological tourism experience center on Baengnyeong Island and a Baengnyeong and Daecheong Geopark Center, as well as the installation of new road signs and tourist information signs. The community engagement section highlights various initiatives, such as citizen participation programs, cultural tourism, and the expansion of the geopark partnership network.
By achieving UNESCO Global Geopark status, Incheon aims to promote sustainable tourism development in the region.
"These islands possess exceptional geological value, as evidenced by their designation as natural monuments and scenic spots," said a city official. "We have emphasized this in our application and will work closely with the local community to ensure the successful designation and sustainable development of the region."
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