Mudeung in Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, has been designated as a national park, the Environmental Ministry said Thursday.

With the new addition, the first in almost 24 years, the number of national parks in Korea rises to 21.

“The natural values of Mount Mudeong are deemed sufficient to win the status,” the ministry said in a statement. Its current status is a provincial park. As a national park, the area will now be administered by the state-run Korea National Park Service, with the entire expenditure supported by the state.

“With the designation, we will thoroughly examine the area, known to be home to some endangered species, restore the peak area which has been damaged and refurbish hiking trails,” it added.

Some 1,180 meters above sea level on the eastern edge of Gwangju, Mount Mudeung has long been regarded as a guardian mountain of citizens there. It attracts 6.8 million visitors a year from across the country.

(milaya@heraldcorp.com)