Daily Busan
Geumjeongsan Mountain is Korea's first urban national park
source: visitbusan
On Oct. 31, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment designated Geumjeongsan Mountain as Korea's 24th national park. Busan's highest mountain also becomes the nation's first urban national park.
Spanning nearly 67 square kilometers across six city districts in western Busan and Yangsan City in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Geumjeongsan National Park rivals Seoul's Bukhansan National Park in scale.
In 2024, Geumjeongsan Mountain attracted approximately 3.12 million visitors, a number expected to surpass 4 million following its designation as a national park. For comparison, Bukhansan led national park attendance last year with 6.7 million visitors.
The designation recognizes the mountain's exceptional ecological and cultural value. It is home to roughly 1,800 species of flora and fauna. The mountain also boasts 71 scenic sites, including peaks, cliffs, and caves.
Geumjeongsan's cultural assets are equally significant. The 18.9-kilometer Geumjeongsanseong Fortress is Korea's largest mountain stronghold, while Beomeosa Temple, founded during the Silla Dynasty, is one of the nation's most revered holy sites. The area also boasts 127 cultural heritage assets, the most of any national park in the country.
The designation is expected to boost tourism, revitalize local businesses, diversify Busan's tourism sector, generate jobs and strengthen the city's global brand.
<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>
attract: 관광객을 끌다 asset: 자산 equally: 동등히 significant: 중요한
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