[Cheongsong Tourism Blossomingon the Strength of UNESCO] Governor Yun Gyeong-hee of Cheongsong Count

Inaugurated in June last year, Governor Yun Gyeong-hee of Cheongsong County visited Aso UNESCO Global Geopark in Japan, later that year.

Governor Yun hastened his visit to the Global Geopark in Japan in order to learn about management and know-how while preparing for the county's redesignation as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2021.

Currently, there are nine UNESCO Global Geoparks in Japan, while there are only three, namely Cheongsong, Jeju Island and Mudeungsan Area Global Geoparks, in Korea.

"At the time, there was a National Geopark site inspection ahead of us and we needed to learn about the management and value of a Global Geopark as fast as we could," said Yun. "I wanted to see an advanced Global Geopark in person and learn from it rather than learning from materials."

During his five-day visit to Aso, Japan, Governor Yun talked about how to cooperate for the development of Global Geoparks with Aso City Mayor Yoshioki Sato.

Governor Yun climbed to the Daikanbo Caldera, the Nakadake Crater and the Tateno Valley. Yun also visited Aso Volcano Museum and Aso Station to see how a Global Geopark affects residents in reality.

"During the visit to Aso UNESCO Global Geopark, the Aso mayor and I discussed research on the geological value of Aso and Cheongsong and more active exchange led by civilians, such as residents and students. We also agreed to make efforts for the development of the two cities," said Governor Yun.

The governor played a brilliant role during the National Geopark site inspection, which lasted for three days last month.

Governor Yun examined the course of the evaluation panel and geological attractions in advance and checked each site himself. He prepared for this evaluation with great care, saying it was "a preliminary Global Geopark inspection."

"We shouldn't think that the designation of a National Geopark will be conferred on our county just because it's been designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark," Yun said with emphasis. "We should take pride in our county and make more efforts to manage and utilize the Global Geopark at a time when many local governments envy Cheongsong Global Geopark."