- UNESCO officially notifies receipt of North Korea’s objection -

- Process suspended in accordance with UNESCO Global Geopark guidelines -

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) has officially confirmed the temporary suspension of its bid to designate the Baengnyeong-Daecheong area as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

The suspension follows formal notification from the UNESCO International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) on May 22, confirming that it had received a written objection from North Korea.

Under Paragraph (iv) of Article 5.4 of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Guidelines, “If a written objection is received from a Member State, the nomination will not proceed to scientific evaluation and it will be up to the Member States concerned to seek a resolution to the issue.” Accordingly, the on-site evaluation, originally scheduled for June 2025, has been put on hold.

Incheon has been working closely with local communities and geological experts to demonstrate the region’s geological significance, while also investing in related infrastructure and fostering active community participation.

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok stated, “This is a deeply regrettable situation. However, we will cooperate with the central government to identify the specific grounds for the objection and pursue diplomatic channels to seek a resolution. In the meantime, the infrastructure and programs we have developed will serve as a foundation for continued engagement with the local community.”