Koreans have lots to be proud of: a dynamic society, a thriving economy, ancient traditions and a rich cultural heritage. And Seoul, the capital city, is this year’s World Design Capital.
And there’s another reason for Korean pride: Jeju Island is one of the 28 Finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign.
To help given Jeju a higher international profile, former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan has been named the island’s ambassador to the New7Wonders campaign. He’s appealing to Chinese, Japanese and other Asian citizens to vote for the island, according to The Korean Times.
Chung says that if Jeju Island is declared one of the New7Wonders of Nature, the benefits will last for generations. Tourism would be the immediate winner, but the long-term gains would include “eternal pride and glory” for Korea.
UPDATE: “We must let the world know of Jeju’s beauty” is the title of an open letter written by Chung to readers of the Jeju Weekly. “As the chairman of the committee, I am confident that Jeju, because of its superior strengths, will be one of the final winners,” he said.
Chung continued: “Jeju’s strength is officially certified by the United Nations for its blessed environmental resources. It achieved the triple crowns of UNESCO in the nature and science field: the designation of the Biosphere Reserve in 2002, inscription to the Word Natural Heritage sites in 2007, and the designation as a World Geopark in 2010. Jeju is the only candidate of the 28 finalists where people, nature, and prehistoric heritage are harmoniously combined in a single location.”