SEOUL, June 24 (Korea Bizwire) — A mudflat suffering from heavy visitor traffic is going on a ‘vacation’.
The state-run Korea National Park Service said Thursday it would trial a new restoration program in a mudflat strip at Mongsanpo Beach in Taeanhaean National Park in Taean, about 150 kilometers south of Seoul, blocking the entry of visitors for the next 12 months.
The ‘restoration area’ will be in the mudflat’s north region, across 10.3 percent (15 hectares) of the entire mudflat.
Violating entry restrictions will be punishable by a 100,000 won (US$77.04) fine in a primary offense, 300,000 won for a secondary offense and 500,000 won for a tertiary offense.
The mudflat in Mongsanpo Beach has been struggling with hardening floors and a dwindling population of clams following visits by more than 1,000 people every day during the summer season.
It is the first time a mud flat inside a national park will go through a restoration period.
Image Credit: Korea National Park Service / Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
