Buan-gun Greenlights Construction of ‘Jeonbuk West Coast Geopark Discovery Center,’ a Global Eco-Tourism Hub

Buan-gun is officially moving forward with the construction of the “Jeonbuk West Coast UNESCO Global Geopark Discovery Center.” The project serves as a core infrastructure piece to elevate the county into a premier global eco-tourism destination by leveraging its rich natural heritage.

Despite boasting world-class geological resources such as Chaeseokgang Cliffs, Jeokbyeokgang Cliffs, and the Daewol Fold on Wido Island, Buan-gun has faced critics pointing out a lack of a centralized hub for comprehensive guidance, education, and hands-on experiences. The county aims to bridge this infrastructure gap through the establishment of the Discovery Center.

The “Jeonbuk West Coast UNESCO Global Geopark Discovery Center Project” is a large-scale infrastructure initiative with a total budget of 14.6 billion KRW. Located in the vicinity of San 47-74, Gyeokpo-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, the facility will span a site area of 17,655㎡ and a total floor area of 2,853㎡(one underground floor and two above-ground floors). The project is slated for completion in 2027.

Currently, the county is smoothly executing the preliminary administrative procedures to finalize the basic architectural plans and detailed designs. To ensure the highest quality for the project, Buan-gun plans to conduct thorough feasibility studies and consult with experts right from the initial stages.

Notably, international evaluators expressed highly positive views regarding the purpose and direction of the Discovery Center during the recent UNESCO Global Geopark revalidation assessment. Acknowledging the necessity of the center, the evaluation team expressed high expectations that by the next revalidation in four years, the space will serve as a vital hub driving the sustainable operation of the geopark and fostering co-prosperity with the local community.

Moving beyond a simple information desk, the newly established Discovery Center will be built as a multi-cultural and ecological space. It will feature:

• Immersive Geological Exhibition Halls integrating cutting-edge technology

• Training Spaces for professional geoguides

• Local Markets run with community participation

Through these features, the county expects to extend the stay of both domestic and international visitors, thereby boosting local job creation and driving economic revitalization.

A Buan-gun official stated, “The Discovery Center will become a new growth engine that systematically preserves and promotes Buan’s geological assets while attracting global tourists.” They added, “As the project’s feasibility has been recognized internationally, we will meticulously prepare the remaining administrative steps to establish it as a landmark of eco-tourism representing the West Coast of Jeonbuk.”