The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Wednesday that it will commence construction of the "Tidal Flat World Natural Heritage Conservation Center," a dedicated facility for the systematic and integrated management of "Korea's Tidal Flats," a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
Korea's Tidal Flats are one of the two World Natural Heritage sites held by South Korea, alongside "Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes." Seocheon, Gochang, Shinan, and Boseong-Suncheon tidal flats were first inscribed in July 2021, while Seosan, Muan, Goheung, and Yeosu tidal flats were added to the list this past July.
The Conservation Center is a key management facility introduced to fulfill the "establishment of an integrated management system among tidal flat heritage components," as recommended by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee at the time Korea's Tidal Flats were first inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site.
Scheduled to be built in Shinan County, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City, the facility completed its design phase in May this year and will break ground in November, with an opening targeted for 2029.
The Conservation Center is set to feature research and exhibition spaces capable of investigating the biodiversity of tidal flat heritage and managing heritage areas in an integrated manner.
Seo Jeong-ho, director-general at the ministry, said, "Following the recent achievement of the expanded inscription of Korea's Tidal Flats, I find it highly meaningful that the Tidal Flat World Natural Heritage Conservation Center, which will serve as core infrastructure for integrated management, is breaking ground. We will continue to work with relevant ministries and local governments to systematically preserve Korea's Tidal Flats."
Meanwhile, "Korea's Tidal Flats," a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, had its second-phase expanded inscription finally decided on July 25, 2026, following the initial inscription in 2021.
in ECONOMY
