Paektusan Geopark contributes to the sustainable development of the region in all aspects of the economy and environment.

In economic view, the geopark helps transform its unique geo-heritage into useful resources for geo-tourism and promote sustainable local tourism and development and marketing of new special products to increase the economic income and improve the livelihood of the locals in a sustainable way. It also makes the people have a fresh understanding of the land where they live, and contributes to laying the foundation for its sustainable preservation and management.

When it comes to environment, the geopark serves as a good learning space for climate change and its impact. The changes in its forest demarcation and permanent frozen layer provide convincing evidence of climate change.

Education on environment and its elements, a key part of the geopark’s mission, help the people have a better understanding of the sustainable development.

All activities in the geopark are faithfully based on the principles of gender equality and enhanced youth role.

The geopark’s domestic and international partnership contributes to sharing knowledge and experiences in many respects and making the most of human and material resources to promote the sustainable development of the area.

The geopark mainly aims to blend together the preservation and management of the geo-heritage in the area, the geological education and public awareness raising, the sustainable development of the local economy, and the improvement of locals’ livelihood.

To this end, efforts are being made to effectively combine all activities with the active support from the state and mobilize the residents in those activities, with an eye to building and developing a multi-faceted economy of local characteristics that suits the physiographical advantages and tradition of the locality.

Energies are put into the development of the foodstuff industry, the main part of the regional economy. The geopark boasts a large area of bog bilberry fields. The products of the modernly built Samjiyon Bog Bilberry Drink Factory are gaining in popularity at home and abroad. The Samjiyon Potato Farina Factory, a model of the country’s potato processing industry, turns out high-quality potato farina and processed foodstuffs by using potato produced in the area.

There are other factories relying on local raw materials. Souvenirs from these factories are favoured by local visitors and tourists.

Wild mushrooms and edible and medicinal herbs in the natural forests around Mt Paektu are recognized as one of important natural resources for their ecological and medical values.

Efforts are invested in tapping renewable energies such as hydropower, solar power and wind power.

Development of tourism is considered a significant tool for sustainable development of the area.

A host of cultural and sporting events, such as ice sculpture festival and workshop on environmental protection, are held in cooperation with stakeholders.

Infrastructure construction and land management are instrumental in the management of the geopark.

Jo Kang Byol