[The Hwankyung Ilbo] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Moon Sung-hyuk) announced at the 44th World Heritage Committee that it will form a "World Heritage Civil and Public Development Council" involving the government, civic groups, and related experts to systematically preserve and manage the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee unanimously decided on July 26 to list four mudflats across five local governments, including the Seocheon, Gochang, Sinan, and Boseong-Suncheon mudflats, as Korea's second natural and 15th World Heritage Site. As a stopover for migratory birds whose mudflats are endangered species in Korea, they have been recognized for their excellent universal value (OUV) of world heritage (based on UNESCO's World Heritage listing). 

The South Korean government submitted a plan to protect and manage the mudflats under the Wetland Conservation Act when it applied for the World Heritage List in 2019.

Korea's mudflats will be subject to a single protection system under the Wetland Conservation Act, an existing law that has systematically managed wetland protection areas (mudflats) unlike other World Heritage sites, considering its large area and continuity.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will establish a "World Heritage Civil and Public Development Consultative Body" involving the government, related local governments, civil society, and related experts, and prepare development plans and detailed management plans for "Korea's mudflats" through regular meetings. 

First of all, the first meeting plans to discuss the overall management plan for the mudflats in Korea as well as the direction of operation of the public-private development council. It also seeks to establish and operate the "World Heritage Integration Center" as an institution to establish an integrated management system for "Korea's mudflats."

In addition, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to step up the registration of major migratory areas such as Gunsan, Muan and Hwaseong by the 48th World Heritage Committee (temporary 2025). 

Through public hearings, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will actively reflect local residents' opinions on the designation and scope of protected areas and seek various projects that can return the effect of designating wetland protected areas and registration to local residents.

Yoon Hyun-soo, a marine environment policy officer at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "Korea's registration of mudflats as a World Heritage site is significant in that the world recognized the ecological excellence and outstanding value of mudflats as a heritage of humanity."

He also stated, "In the future, we will actively operate the World Heritage Development Council, which is joined by the public and the government, to manage Korea's mudflats in an integrated manner so that not only current generations but also future generations can enjoy the ecological value and various functions of them."