Sejong, May 30 - The Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Wha-jin) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF, Minister Cho Seung-hwan) announced that three cities in South Korea received the accreditation as the second Ramsar Wetland Cities. During the 59th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention in Gland, Switzerland, on May 26, twenty-five cities from thirteen countries received accreditation as wetland cities. South Korea submitted its applications to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat in March 2020 for the three sites. The Wetland City Accreditation Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) reviewed the proposals, and the Standing Committee approved them. Those three sites will be certified at the 14th Meeting of the Contracting Parties Conference in November 2022 in Wuhan, China. 

The Wetland City Accreditation scheme encourages cities in close proximity to and dependent on wetlands- especially designated Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance - to promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands. At the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties in 2018, eighteen cities from seven countries were accredited for the first time, including four sites in Korea (Changnyeong-gun, Inje-gun, Jeju Island, and Suncheon-si). 

The three sites are defined as international importance under the Ramsar Convention and the Wetlands Conservation Act of South Korea. The Mulyeongari Volcanic Cone in Seogwipo-si is a parasitic cone1 of wetland. Residents voluntarily participate in conserving the sites and ecosystem. The Ungok Ramsar Wetland in Gochang-gun is an inland wetland where low-rise wetlands of Obeigol2 and lake-type swamp3 of Ungok Reservoir meet. At the same time, the Gochang Mudflat is a coastal wetland with spectacular scenery and high geological value.

Gochang-gun is cordially conserving and utilizing its wetlands by restoring inland and coastal wetlands and running ecotourism programs. The Seocheon Mudflat in Seocheon-gun is home to a wide range of wildlife and serves as a stopover for sandpipers and plovers. Residents of Seocheon-gun organize migratory bird protection programs, mudflat cleanups, and many other activities for the community.

Gochang-gun and Seocheon-gun were named UNESCO World Heritage Sites in July 2021 for the biodiversity of their mudflats and their importance as migratory bird stopovers. They have now made it to the Ramsar list, making a significant contribution to raising global awareness of the ecological value of domestic wetlands.

The Ramsar-accredited sites will be able to use the Ramsar trademark to promote their local agricultural, marine, and manufacturing products and ecotourism programs. Furthermore, ME and MOF will provide grants to Gochang-gun and Seocheon-gun for wetlands conservation, awareness-raising campaigns, and expansion of ecotourism infrastructure.

Kim Jong-ryul, Director-General of Nature Conservation Bureau, said, "Accreditation to Ramsar Wetland City results from locals' efforts to recognize the wetlands as communal assets and voluntarily work hard for their conservation and wise use. The government will continue collaborating with local governments to develop wetland policies that benefit both humans and nature."

1 A cone-shaped accumulation of volcanic material that resulted from eruptions from the volcano's flank fractures

2 Meaning a pathway that divides into five branches; a Jeolla-do dialect for "Obanggol"

3 A type of wetlands that create stagnant waters from seasonal or permanent flooding

Contact: Yoo Byung-hoon, Deputy Director

Nature and Ecology Policy Division / +82-(0)44-201-7229 

Foreign Media Contact: CHUN Minjo

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr