Pyongyang: The North Korean side of Mount Paektu, an active stratovolcano located on the border between North Korea and China, is set to be recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark next month, as reported by sources on Sunday. This anticipated designation follows a proposal by the UNESCO Global Geopark Council to include Mount Paektu among 16 sites for Global Geopark designation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the UNESCO executive board will convene from April 2-17 to deliberate on the proposed sites. Historically, the executive board has endorsed the Geopark designations recommended by the council, making it highly likely that Mount Paektu will become North Korea’s first entry in the UNESCO Global Geopark network.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are designated as single, cohesive geographical areas that boast sites and landscapes of international geological significance and are managed with a comprehensive approach that includes protection, education, and sustainable development. The Chinese side of the mountain was designated as the Mount Changbaishan UNESCO Global Geopark under its Chinese name last year.
North Korea initially sought the UNESCO listing for Mount Paektu in 2019, a year prior to China. However, the process was delayed for North Korea due to a postponed on-site inspection caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing China to secure the designation first. UNESCO describes the Geopark as showcasing significant volcanic heritage and landscapes formed by volcanic eruptions, and it features well-developed glacial geography, including cirques, moraine hills, and outwash plains created by glacial deposits.
In addition to Mount Paektu, the UNESCO executive board is also anticipated to add South Korea’s Danyang and Gyeongbuk Donghaean regions to its Global Geopark networks, which would increase South Korea’s total number of Geopark designations to seven.