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Designation of Natural Monument Protection Area of Imjin River in Yeoncheon

The Imjin River, which played a significant role in the history of the Korean Peninsula, became populated by various creatures as human activity reduced when the Korean peninsula was divided into two parts. Internationally endangered birds, such as cranes, have been discovered in the Imjin River in Yeoncheon, making the Imjin River become an area of great international value. In order to protect this area, the Cultural Heritage Administration designated the upper stream of the Imjin River in Yeoncheon as a Natural Monument Protection Area on May 11. Before the designation, the Cultural Heritage Administration conducted an on-site inspection on January 5 on the cranes’ habitat. According to the survey, there are rest areas for endangered species, such as different types of cranes, e.g., white-Naped cranes, Siberian cranes, Chinese Merganser, Common Cranes, hooded cranes, and white-tailed sea eagles in the upper stream of the Imjin River in Yeoncheon.

Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea (HSF Korea) has also been actively involved in biodiversity activities in the Imjin River area of Yeoncheon. BIRDS KOREA (BK) habitat study has been financed by the foundation, which has also worked to investigate and safeguard endangered birds. In 2021, the HSF Korea team - Dr. Bernhard Seliger (representative HSF Korea), Young-Soo Kim (project manager HSF), and Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi (senior researcher HSF) also participated in the "Cranes Habitat" campaign. Furthermore, HSF also planned a Yeoncheon delegation visit to Partner-city Hof to exchange experiences and promote further progress.

Please refer to the links below for details of the related project of HSF Korea.

A delegation from Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do in Korea visits Partner-City Hof

Declaration of Civil Heritage on "Imjin River Crane Habitat"

A Study on the Biosphere Reserve of Imjin River in Yeoncheon

A Study on the Habitat of Chinese Merganser supported by Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea