UNESCO stops designating 3 South Korean islands as geoparks due to North Korea's objection

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA)– UNESCO has halted the process of designating three South Korean islands on the western border with North Korea as geoparks over objections raised by Pyongyang, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported on Thursday, citing the Incheon metropolitan government.

In November, the Incheon government submitted the islands of Baengnyeong, Daecheong, and Socheong, located just south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) – the de facto maritime border with North Korea – to the UN body for consideration as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

However, on Monday, North Korea filed a written objection with UNESCO for unknown reasons, the local government said. Therefore, UNESCO has suspended the assessment.

When objections are raised, the organization suspends all scientific assessments of the nominated sites and requires the involved member countries to settle the dispute independently, the news agency said.

"The reasons for North Korea's objections have not been disclosed, but there's a high possibility it is intended to deny the NLL, which is clearly our maritime territory," Mayor of Incheon Yoo Jeong-bok said at a news conference.

"We will determine the reasons for the objection in cooperation with the government and look for diplomatic solutions," he said, adding that he is willing to discuss the matter with North Korean officials.

North Korea does not recognize the NLL and insists that it be moved further south. The maritime border has seen several deadly naval clashes.