Definition and Scientific Value Assessment of Geosite from the Geopark Perspective: Application to the Hantangang River UNESCO Global Geopark (Main Geosites of Yeoncheon region)

초록

The geopark program began in Europe to revitalize the local economy. Since then, it has been confirmed as one of the three major UNESCO protection programs along with World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve through UNESCO's pilot program. Jeju Island was designated as a UNESCO global geopark for the first time in Korea, and since then, many local governments and geoscientist have promoted sustainable development and revitalization of the local economy by operating geopark tourism and education programs using Korea's unique geoheritage. In 2020, the Hantangang River area was designated as the fourth UNESCO Global Geopark in Korea by designating a number of geosites. In 2023, Jeonbuk West Coast Geopark was designated as the fifth UNESCO Global Geopark, and in 2025, Gyeongbuk Donghaean Geopark and Danyang Geopark were designated as UNESCO Global Geopark. As a result, the geopark system is widely known to the public. However, the definition of geosite that are the basis of these geopark program is still not clearly established. Therefore, in the development of the geolopark system, the terminology definition of a geosite started from simply referring to a geological place with stratigraphic and paleontological values. However, it has been changed in various ways, such as referring to places with bio-ecological, and cultural values. Since geosite have been legally established, the definition of a geosite has been defined as a place where geological value has been proven within the designation range of a geolpark and has incidental values (biological, historical, archaeological values, etc.) that can be used for geotourism and geoeducation. In addition, the case of the method of assessing the scientific value of geosite was investigated and applied to the case of the Hantangang River UNESCO Global Geopark (main geosites of the Yeoncheon region). The results were compared with the previous UNESCO Global Geopark evaluation results and it was confirmed that the Water Spider and Habitat, a candidate site for geosite, is of higher scientific value than the current geosites in Hantangang River Geopark. Through this study, it was made clear that geosite must have geological value and that they must possess geotourism and geoeducational value to consistent the purpose of the geopark program. In addition, it is expected that the geological (scientific) value assessment of geosite will prevent disadvantages that may occur during the evaluation process for the National Geopark/UNESCO Global Geopark.

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