Nine geological attractions in Jeju island (Korea) have been added to Unesco’s list of world geoparks, during the 9^th European Geoparks Conference on the island of Lesvos (Greece).  These sites are the first in Korea to earn such recognition, the local government in Jeju said.

They include Mount Halla, Manjang Cave and Seongsan Sunrise Peak, Seogwipo Formation, Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, Jungmun Daepo Columnar-Jointed Lava, the lava dome at Mount Sanbang, the Yongmeori tuff ring and the Suweol Peak tuff ring.

Unesco recognizes sites with unique landscapes and geological formations as world geoparks not only to preserve them but also to promote the locations.

Mount Halla, Seongsan Sunrise Peak and Manjang Cave were previously listed on the Unesco World Natural Heritage sites in 2007.  Furthermore, Mount Halla was named a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 2002.

With the Global Geoparks Network certification, Jeju becomes the only place in the world with three Unesco certifications.

The Jeju provincial government said it will make greater efforts to both preserve the sites and use them as attractions to draw tourists. The local government plans to establish a special team with professional geologists to take care of the parks. Additionally, a tourist center will be set up.

Unesco will award its certificate at the 5th International Unesco Conference on Geoparks in 2012, which is to be held on Japan’s Mount Unzen.

For more information regarding Jeju island or Korea please visit: www.visitkorea.or.kr