North Korea is actively promoting the Research Value of various volcanic formations scattered across Mount Paektu, following its recent designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
On Sunday, the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun published the third installment in its ongoing series “Mount Paektu Region as a Global Geopark,” authored by Ri Guk Hoon, an Associate Professor at the Geological Research Institute of the National Academy of Sciences. The article introduced four key features: the Ganbaeksan Volcano, Beigaebong Volcano, Soyeonjibong Small Volcano, and Mudubong Small Volcano.
The Ganbaeksan Volcano, the article explains, was formed by five minor eruptions over the North Potaesan Formation, depositing layers of trachyte, trachyandesite lava, and tuff. The formation is described as crucial for studying volcanic activity in the Sobaek Mountain Range.
The Beigaebong Volcano offers insight into volcanic terrains formed by basaltic lava. At the same time, the Soyeonjibong Small Volcano is noted for its relevance to parasitic volcano formation and magmatic evolution within the Paektu volcanic belt. The Mudubong Small Volcano is highlighted for its role in research on post-eruption topographical changes and explosive basic magma, as noted by UNESCO.
UNESCO’s Executive Board accepted Paektu’s inclusion in the Global Geopark Network on April 10, marking a notable milestone in the regime’s international scientific recognition. Since the designation, North Korea has ramped up efforts to promote tourism to the Paektu region, using its volcanic geography as a centerpiece.
In the first installment, published last week, the series explored the historical and scientific significance of key sites, including the Paektu Volcano, Jong Il Peak, and Hyangdobong Volcano. The second part, released shortly afterward, featured Dangyeol Peak, Haebal Peak, and Twin Rainbow Peak.