Published: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:01:00 +0900

The beautiful Korean island of Cheju is attempting to become yet another UNESCO recognized site in Korea:

 An inspection team from the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Monday (Oct. 16) began assessing natural rarities on Korea's southern island of Jeju, following a local request to give them World Heritage status, officials said.

The Jeju provincial government filed an application to the U.N. cultural body in January to have its scenic rarities registered.

The designation will be decided when UNESCO holds a general meeting in July next year, based on a report from its advisory body, the World Heritage Convention, that is conducting the inspection.

The week-long assessment led by Paul Richard Dingwall will focus on whether the recommended sites have value for global recognition and have been well-preserved and whether the local government is capable of looking after them, the government officials said. The candidate areas are a preservation area of Mount Halla, five lava caves and Seongsan Ilchulbong, a small rocky mountain peak overlooking the harbor which is famous for its rare plants and view of the sunrise.

The Jeju government plans to spend about 4 billion won ($4 million) this year for the World Heritage project. The funds will go toward organizing a committee of experts and officials to set up protective measures for the natural rarities and organize publicity campaigns at home and abroad.

I for one hope the island receives the designation which means the island will have to receive increased government funding to protect the natural environment and cultural properties of the island.  Protecting the environment is not something that Koreans are well known for. 

I wonder if the UNESCO ranking will stop the wrath of the picnickers?  At another UNESCO listed place the Suwon Fortress, one time I saw someone had left their picnic garbage right there on UNESCO listed cultural property. 

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