Busan is good

The Long-Awaited Wish of Busan Citizens Fulfilled: Designation of Mt. Geumjeongsan as a National Park Confirmed

내용

The long-cherished aspiration of Busan citizens—to designate Mt. Geumjeongsan as a national park—has finally come to fruition.

Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that the “Proposal for the Designation and Park Plan of Mt. Geumjeongsan National Park” was approved today (October 31) at 13:30 during the 144th National Park Committee meeting chaired by the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment.

With this approval, Mt. Geumjeongsan—Busan’s proud symbol—has been officially designated as the 24th national park in Korea, marking its rebirth as the nation’s first urban national park.

Mt. Geumjeongsan forms part of the Nakdong Jeongmaek, a major national ecological axis extending from Taebaeksan in Gangwon Province to the lower Nakdong River in Busan. It serves as a representative urban ecological area where nature, history, culture, and citizens’ lives coexist harmoniously.

The total area of Mt. Geumjeongsan National Park is 66.859 square kilometers (㎢), of which approximately 78 percent (52.136 ㎢) lies within six districts of Busan, and around 22 percent (14.723 ㎢) extends into Yangsan City, Gyeongnam Province. The park also includes Mt. Baegyangsan, connected to the Nakdong Jeongmaek along with Mt. Geumjeongsan.

This designation is particularly significant, as it is the first instance in 37 years since the establishment of Mt. Sobaeksan National Park in 1987 that a non-protected area has newly gained national park status.
(Mt. Mudeungsan [2013], Mt. Taebaeksan [2016], and Mt. Palgongsan [2023] were promoted from provincial parks to national parks.)

According to the “Feasibility Study on the Designation of Mt. Geumjeongsan National Park” conducted by the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment (formerly the Ministry of Environment) from 2020 to 2021, Mt. Geumjeongsan met all criteria for national park designation in terms of natural ecology, historical and cultural value, and scenic significance, even though it was not a previously protected area.

The mountain is home to 1,782 species of wildlife, including 14 endangered species, and features 71 scenic sites and 127 cultural assets—ranking first among Korea’s 23 existing national parks in terms of cultural heritage. The annual number of visitors, estimated at 3.12 million, ranks fifth nationwide among all national parks.

The movement to designate Mt. Geumjeongsan as a national park began in 2005 when it was first proposed by civic groups. Public support expanded in 2014 with a petition campaign that collected 100,000 signatures. The process gained full momentum in June 2019 when the City of Busan formally submitted a request for designation to the Ministry of Environment.

Throughout this long and complex journey, civic groups, environmental organizations, religious communities, experts, and public institutions have continuously engaged in public discussions and advocacy. In particular, more than 80 civic organizations, including the Mt. Geumjeongsan National Park Citizens’ Promotion Headquarters and the Citizens’ Network for the Designation of Mt. Geumjeongsan National Park, led persistent campaigns that became a model of community-driven participation and civic engagement.

The designation process had been delayed for years due to challenges such as high proportions of privately owned land and complex stakeholder interests. However, a major breakthrough came in November 2024, when Beomeosa Temple, the Mt. Geumjeongsan National Park Promotion Headquarters, and Busan Metropolitan City signed the “Agreement on Consent and Mutual Development for the Designation of Mt. Geumjeongsan National Park.”

The generous cooperation of Beomeosa Temple and other religious groups, along with support from stakeholders, played a decisive role. Following the signing of this agreement, the city held public briefings and hearings, completing the administrative procedures necessary for today’s official designation.

Recognized as Korea’s first urban national park, Mt. Geumjeongsan is expected to reinforce the city’s image as “Busan—where nature and the city coexist,” significantly enhancing Busan’s urban brand value both domestically and internationally.

The designation will also contribute to completing Busan’s tourism identity as a city of sea, river, and mountains. Increased eco-friendly tourism demand is anticipated to revitalize local businesses and create diverse job opportunities in sectors such as eco-tourism, environmental education, and cultural experiences.

Through the restoration of cultural heritage sites and the improvement of historical landscapes in the Mt. Geumjeongsan area, Busan aims to recover its historical identity and offer citizens and visitors an elevated cultural and recreational space. The number of visitors is expected to exceed four million annually, generating a significant positive impact on the local economy and tourism revenue.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “The designation of Mt. Geumjeongsan National Park represents the culmination of citizens’ long-standing aspirations, persistent efforts by public institutions, and the dedication of local communities—it is truly a collective victory for the Busan community.”

He further emphasized, “Busan will work closely with the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, the Korea National Park Service, and local communities to accelerate projects such as trail maintenance, cultural heritage restoration, ecosystem conservation, and community support programs. We will transform Mt. Geumjeongsan into Busan’s premier urban ecological asset and Korea’s finest national park—a leading model for urban national parks.”