Jeju Island achieved UNESCO’s coveted “Triple Crown," a Biosphere Reserve, World Natural Heritage and Global Geopark. The international designations make the island an environmental treasure that the global community needs to preserve.
World Natural Heritage sites are tangible assets with outstanding universal values that cannot be replaced if lost. They must be preserved and maintained for the whole of humankind.
Jeju Island was designated in 2007 as World Natural Heritage site. UNESCO appraised Jeju’s Geomunoreum Lava Tube System as one of the most beautiful lava tubes in the world, along with its remarkable landscape and geological value, Seongsan Ilchulbong as transmitting a globally high value for people to appreciate the dramatic scenery that resembles a coastal forest, and Mt. Halla as featuring curious rock formations such as columnar joints, and the cliff of Baengnokdam Crater for its outstanding scenic value in every season.
As of 2015, UNESCO has designated 1,031 sites from 160 countries as World Heritage across the world I Cultural Heritage 802, Natural Heritage 197 and mixed 32). While there are 11 Cultural Heritage sites in Korea, only Jeju Island is a Natural Heritage site.
Global Geoparks Network is a program set up to purse the economic development of local communities through geotourism, combined with local resources such as geology history, culture and ecology, among areas with geological importance and beautiful landscapes. Unlike World Heritage sites focusing on preservation, a Global Geopark utilizes a diverse range of local resources to pursue economic development.
Jeju Island, which holds the remains of volcanic activities from 1.8 million years ago up until recent times, is blessed with outstanding landscapes and has significant academic importance.
In 2010, Jeju Island was certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark, a first for the country. In 2012 it was made a national geopark. The Jeju Global Geopark covers the entire island and its 12 representatives sites. They are Mt. Halla; Manjanggul Lava Tube; Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone; Seogwipo Formation; Cheojiyeon Warterfall; Jungmun Daepo Columnar-jointed Lava; Mt. Sanbang Yongmeori Tuff Ring; Suweolbong Tuff Ring; Udo, Biyangdo; and Seonheul Gotjawal.
UNESCO created the Biosphere Reserve program to prevent nature from being distorted by humans. In order to achieve sustainable development, this Biosphere Reserve allows people to get economic benefits through good derivation of nature and in turn use these benefits to preserve nature. Biosphere Reserve is also a place recognized for its rich biodiversity and clean environment by UNESCO. It also allows local residents to sell more and cultivate eco-friendly products.
As of 2015, there are 621 designated sites from 117 countries for Biosphere Reserve across the world , and five sites were designated in Korea.; Mt. Seorak (1982), Jeju Island (2002), Sinan Dadohae (2009), Gwangneung Forest (2010), and Cochanggun (2013).
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