National Parks in South Korea

tional Parks in South Korea are preserved parcels of public land in South Korea, on which most forms of development are prohibited. They cover a total of 6.6% of the country's area, and are typically located in mountainous or coastal regions. Jirisan national park in South Korea in the southwest is the country's largest mountain park. This was also the first national park to be designated in 1967. The largest marine park is Dadohae. It has an area of more than 2,200 km², but almost all of this is water. The smallest national park in South Korea is Wolchulsan, with an area of only 56.1 km².

The national parks in South Korea are overseen by the Korea National Parks Authority, established in 1987. The Authority operates its own police force, and since 1998 has been under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment. It was previously under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Construction.

Popular National Parks in South Korea

Korea has several dozen National and Provincial Parks and a ruggedly scenic coastline. Just north of the capital, the forests and cliff-top temples of Pukansan National Park offer great hiking and recreational facilities. Three of national parks in South Korea, Soraksan, Odaesan and Chuwangsan, are accessible from the East Coast highway. Soraksan National Park is widely considered to offer the most beautiful scenery in Korea with its rugged peaks, waterfalls, forests and temples. Excellent tourist facilities range from hiking trails and campsites to the Osaek Springs luxury hot spring resorts. Odaesan national park in South Korea is famous for its ski resorts. Rock climbers will enjoy the challenges of the Chiaksan area.

Towards the center of the country, Songnisan national park in South Korea is another area renowned for its natural beauty. 50km west of Taegu City is the Kayasan national park in South Korea, at the center of which is Haeinsa, Korea’s best-known temple. Chirisan National Park is known as a fine hiking and mountaineering destination. South of Seoul, South Korea’s western area is known for its jagged scenic coastline and numerous National and Provincial Parks. Particularly notable is the Kyeryongsan National Park which includes the two beautiful temples of Kapsa and Dongkaksa.