Korea's 7 UNESCO Global Geoparks: Danyang-gun and Donghaean Join the List

Korea's 7 UNESCO Global Geoparks: Danyang-gun and Donghaean Join the List

UNESCO has officially designated Danyang-gun County in Chungcheongbuk-do Province and Donghaean — the eastern coastal region of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province spanning Pohang, Gyeongju, and the counties of Yeongdeok-gun and Uljin-gun — as Global Geoparks. Korea now has seven UNESCO Global Geoparks in total.

Two New Designations

The Ministry of Environment announced on April 14 that UNESCO, at an executive board meeting held April 10 in Paris, designated Danyang-gun and Donghaean as Global Geoparks.

The designation was granted following a comprehensive evaluation covering geological value, connections to ecological, historical and cultural resources, cooperation with local communities, and sustainable management systems.

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Danyang-gun: Korea's Karst Landscape Showcase

One of Korea's leading karst landscapes, Danyang-gun features a unique terrain formed by the long-term erosion of soluble rocks. It is considered the ideal site to study the tectonic structure of the Korean Peninsula, thanks to coexisting strata with a time difference of 1.3 billion years. The famous Dodamsambong Peaks are a representative karst formation created by limestone erosion rising above the river.

Donghaean: The Peninsula's Largest Cenozoic Fossil Site

Donghaean is home to the peninsula's largest Cenozoic fossil site, commanding high academic, educational and tourism value for its diverse geological landscapes and traces of East Asia's tectonic formation and magma activity. The Columnar Joint in Yangnam, Gyeongju is a representative landmark.

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The Complete List of Korea's 7 UNESCO Global Geoparks

With the addition of these two sites, Korea now has seven UNESCO Global Geoparks:

1. Jeju Island (2010)

2. Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province (2017)

3. Area around Mudeungsan Mountain near Gwangju (2018)

4. Hantangang River (2020)

5. Seohaean (western coast of Jeonbuk State) (2023)

6. Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do Province (2025)

7. Donghaean, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province (2025)