The province wants to expand Hallasan National Park to include some the island’s volcanic cones, called “oreum,” and “gotjawal” forests, and then rename it Jeju National Park. The national government also backs the plan. Joseph Kim reports.


Report

Yongnuni Oreum is one of Jeju’s 368 oreum and the name comes after its shape that looks like lying dragon.

Late photographer Kim Young-gap loved Yongnuni Oreum so much that it was the subject of many of his photos.

Tourists visit these unique hills to appreciate the scenery with their own eyes.

INTERVIEW
Ha Eun-mi / Tourist from Daejeon
It’s my first trip to Jeju. I’ve heard that Yongnuni Oreum is beautiful and came to see it for myself. It’s stunning. The views are even better than Hallasan Mountain.
<인터뷰: 하은미 하보라/ 대전 유성구>
"제주도 이번에 처음 온 것인데, 용눈이 오름이 유명하다고 해서 왔거든요. 근데 되게 예쁘고 한라산 풍경보다 더 좋은 것 같아요."

Oreum or volcanic cones are as valuable as Hallasan Mountain.

The province is trying to include oreum and gotjawal forests in the national park which currently only covers Hallasan Mountain.

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Officials reviewing proposed expansion of national park

According to the plan, the new national park will cover lava tubes, spring water close to the seashore and the Provincial Marine Park as well as oreum and gotjawal forests.

If the new plan is adopted, the island could better manage its diverse ecology, creating opportunities for area residents to generate income from the well preserved resources.

INTERVIEW
Kim Tae-yoon / Researcher, Jeju Development Institute
We’re planning to expand Hallasan National Park and rename it Jeju National Park. That would boost both the income of area residents and local development. It would also lift awareness of the need to conserve nature, and make more people willing to do so.
<인터뷰: 김태윤/ 제주발전연구원 선임연구위원>
"주변 지역에서 마을 발전과 연계된 아니면 주민 소득 창출과 관련된 부분을 활성화함으로써 주민에게 이익이 가는 국립공원을 조성함으로써 보전에 대한 의욕을 높이고 가치를 도민들이 활용할 수 있는..."

As the Ministry of Environment also supports the provincial plan, the plan would likely go smoothly.

INTERVIEW
Choi Han-chang / Representative, Ministry of Environment
We believe Jeju’s plan will contribute to a healthy and complete island ecosystem. It is also important because it would forge a stronger connection between Hallasan Mountain and the surrounding environment. We look forward to reviewing the plan.
<인터뷰: 최한창/ 환경부 공원생태과 행정사무관>
"환경부에서는 이에 대해서 긍정적으로 평가하고 있습니다. 생태계 건강성을 증진하고, 생태계 완결성, 한라산 외부의 생태계하고의 연결성 측면에서 굉장히 의미있는 시도라고 생각하고 환경부도 적극 검토할 예정입니다."

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

The province will determine the scope of the national park through further research and come up with a management plan, at which point they will apply for the change in July to the Ministry of Environment.

Joseph Kim, KCTV