Table of Contents
- The Sacred Mountain of Busan, Geumjeong Mountain... Designated as the 24th National Park of Korea
- Overview of Geumjeong Mountain National Park and Significance of the Designation
- Ecological and Cultural Value and Visiting Conditions
- Fruits Achieved Through Citizen Participation and Cooperation
- Expected Effects of the Designation of Geumjeong Mountain National Park
- Busan's Vision as a Green City Begins with Geumjeong Mountain
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Sacred Mountain of Busan, Geumjeong Mountain... Designated as the 24th National Park of Korea
Geumjeong Mountain, an icon of Busan and a long-cherished wish of its citizens, has finally been designated as a national park. This decision was made at the 144th National Park Committee meeting on October 31.
With the passage of the 'Designation and Plan for Geumjeong Mountain National Park,' Geumjeong Mountain has gained recognition as the 24th national park in Korea and the first urban national park.
The designation of Geumjeong Mountain National Park is the result of continuous efforts by civil society since 2005 and administrative procedures. Geumjeong Mountain has been recognized for its value as an ecological space where nature, history, and culture intertwine, resulting in its designation as a national park.
Overview of Geumjeong Mountain National Park and Significance of the Designation
The total area of Geumjeong Mountain National Park is 66.859㎢, of which approximately 78% (52.136㎢) is located in six districts of Busan: Geumjeong-gu, Buk-gu, Dongnae-gu, Yeonje-gu, Busanjin-gu, and Sasang-gu. The remaining 22% (14.723㎢) is located in Yangsan City, Gyeongnam. This park includes the key sections of Geumjeong Mountain and Baekyang Mountain in the Nakdong Range.
The newly designated non-protected area marks a significant achievement after 37 years since the designation of Sobaeksan National Park in 1987, carrying great importance in the national park system. While existing parks like Muhaksan, Taebaeksan, and Palgongsan transitioned from provincial parks to national parks, Geumjeong Mountain is distinguished by being independently designated anew.
Geumjeong Mountain not only boasts exceptional ecological value but also serves as an ecological axis, harmoniously coexisting with nature and humanity within the urban setting. This presents a new concept of a 'national park where nature and the city breathe together' and is expected to make a significant contribution to future national park development.
Ecological and Cultural Value and Visiting Conditions
A total of 1,782 species of wildlife inhabit the area around Geumjeong Mountain, of which 14 species are endangered. Additionally, there are 71 natural landscapes distributed throughout the area, and 127 cultural heritage sites, sufficiently meeting the standards for national parks. Notably, the number of cultural heritage sites is the highest among national parks in the country, housing a concentration of Buddhist cultural and historical assets, including Beomeosa, Geumjeong Fortress, and Geumsaem.
As of 2017, the annual number of visitors reached approximately 3.12 million, ranking 5th among the 23 national parks in the country. In the future, it is expected that Geumjeong Mountain will attract over 4 million visitors annually.
Major hiking trails in this area include Geumjeong Mountain Godang Peak, Geumsaem, Beomeosa Valley, Mulmangol Waterfall, and Geumjeong Fortress Trail.
Furthermore, Geumjeong Mountain received certification as a Busan National Geopark in 2012, recognizing its scholarly value, and is regarded as a place rich in biodiversity within the urban environment.
Fruits Achieved Through Citizen Participation and Cooperation
Discussions regarding the 'Designation of Geumjeong Mountain National Park' began in 2005, initiated by a proposal from civil organizations. In 2014, it expanded into a signature campaign with 100,000 participants and was officially promoted by the city of Busan to the Ministry of Environment in 2019.
In November 2024, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the City of Busan, Geumjeong-gu, Beomeosa, and the citizens' promotion headquarters, accelerating the designation process. Particularly, cooperation from the religious community, including Beomeosa, and the solidarity activities of over 80 civic organizations were instrumental.
This process is regarded as a model of public policy achieved through voluntary participation of local residents and cooperation with the government.
| Future Plans | ❍ Nov 2025 | Official Designation and Notification of Geumjeong Mountain National Park (Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment) |
| ❍ Nov 2025 ~ | Preparation for national park management and transfer of duties※ City of Busan, six autonomous districts: Busanjin-gu, Yeonje-gu, Dongnae-gu, Buk-gu, Geumjeong-gu, Sasang-gu ↔ National Park Service | |
| ❍ Mar 2026 | Holding of Geumjeong Mountain National Park Commemorative Event (Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment) |
Expected Effects of the Designation of Geumjeong Mountain National Park
The designation of Geumjeong Mountain as a national park marks a new turning point not just in terms of nature conservation but also as a transformation in Busan's urban brand. This enhances Busan's identity as a city where the sea, river, and mountains harmoniously coexist.
It is expected to create jobs and invigorate the local economy in various sectors such as ecotourism, environmental education, cultural experiences, and historical exploration. With ecological restoration and cultural landscape management in the vicinity of Geumjeong Mountain, high-quality cultural and recreational spaces will be provided for both citizens and tourists.
Furthermore, the introduction of a professional management system from the National Park Service will ensure systematic management, including ecosystem conservation, trail maintenance, cultural heritage restoration, and resident support programs. This is anticipated to alleviate local fiscal burdens and lay the groundwork for sustainable ecotourism. Such changes are likely to leave a positive impact on Busan's future.
Busan's Vision as a Green City Begins with Geumjeong Mountain
The designation of Geumjeong Mountain National Park is an important first step for Busan toward becoming an ecological and green city in South Korea. Going forward, the City of Busan plans to quickly implement resident support programs while establishing a park management system and improving hiking infrastructure through collaboration with the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, the National Park Service, and the local community.
Once Geumjeong Mountain is established as a crucial ecological asset in the urban area, Busan will develop into a sustainable ecotourism city where nature, culture, and history are harmoniously integrated, moving beyond its identity as a sea-centric tourist city. As the designation of this national park reflects the aspirations of Busan's citizens and the efforts of the community, it will remain a new historical achievement for Busan.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the timing and significance of the designation of Geumjeong Mountain as a national park?
Geumjeong Mountain was designated as the 24th national park in Korea and the first urban national park on October 31, 2024.
Geumjeong Mountain was officially recognized as a representative natural asset of Busan when it was designated as a national park at the 144th National Park Committee meeting on October 31, 2024. This has historical significance as it marks the 24th national park in South Korea and the first urban national park, emphasizing the role of an ecological axis that harmonizes urban and nature, and is expected to influence future national park development.
Q. What is the area and location of Geumjeong Mountain National Park?
Geumjeong Mountain National Park covers a total area of 66.859㎢, predominantly located in six districts of Busan and partially in Yangsan City, Gyeongnam.
The total area of Geumjeong Mountain National Park is 66.859㎢, with approximately 78% (52.136㎢) located in the six districts of Busan: Geumjeong-gu, Buk-gu, Dongnae-gu, Yeonje-gu, Busanjin-gu, and Sasang-gu. The remaining 22% (14.723㎢) is located in Yangsan City, Gyeongsangnam-do, and it includes important ecological space around Geumjeong Mountain and Baekyang Mountain in the Nakdong Range, making it a region that spans both urban and natural settings.
Q. What are the natural and cultural values of Geumjeong Mountain National Park?
Geumjeong Mountain houses 1,782 species of wildlife and 127 cultural heritage sites, with 14 endangered species present.
Geumjeong Mountain is rich in ecosystems and cultural heritage. It is home to 1,782 species of wildlife, of which 14 are endangered, highlighting the importance of nature conservation. The total of 127 cultural heritage sites is the highest among all national parks, with a concentration of Buddhist cultural and historical assets including Beomeosa, Geumjeong Fortress, and Geumsaem. This infrastructure meets the designation criteria for Geumjeong Mountain as a national park, enhancing the value of conservation and education.
Q. What was the role of citizens in the designation process of Geumjeong Mountain National Park?
Proposals from civic organizations, a signature campaign with 100,000 participants, and solidarity of civic organizations led to the designation of Geumjeong Mountain as a national park.
The designation of Geumjeong Mountain as a national park began with a proposal from civil organizations in 2005 and was propelled forward through a signature campaign with 100,000 participants in 2014 and an official recommendation from Busan City to the Ministry of Environment in 2019. The signing of the memorandum of understanding in 2024 was significantly influenced by the cooperation of the religious community, including Beomeosa, and over 80 civic organizations, with this being recognized as a successful example of public policy achieved through active participation of local residents and collaboration with the government. This reflects the importance of community engagement.
Q. What are the expected effects of the designation of Geumjeong Mountain National Park?
It is expected to boost ecotourism, develop the local economy, enable systematic ecological management, and strengthen Busan’s brand.
With the designation of Geumjeong Mountain as a national park, Busan establishes a stronger identity centered on nature and ecology. This is anticipated to positively impact job creation and the local economy by promoting ecotourism, environmental education, and cultural experiences. The introduction of a professional management system from the National Park Service will ensure systematic management of ecosystem conservation, trail maintenance, and cultural heritage restoration, contributing to easing fiscal burdens and establishing a sustainable tourism framework. These developments will mark a pivotal transition for Busan’s future growth.
