UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
Mount Myohyang
General information
The Mt. Myohyang Biosphere Reserve covers the mountain areas of Myohyang Mountain Range and Jokyuryong Mountain Range on the left bank of River Chongchon. The Myohyang Mountains debouch from Mt. Rangrim and stretch northeastward and southwestward, sprawling on the border of South Phyongan Province and link Mt. Myohyang Piro Peak (1,909m) almost to Mt. Sobak (2014m above sea level).
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2009
Country
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Total population
103000
Area
Surface
74,501.00 ha
Total terresterial area
74,501.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: 40.02 - Longitude: 126.32
Ecological Characteristics
The Mt. Myohyang Biosphere Reserve covers the mountain areas of Myohyang Mountain Range and Jokyuryong Mountain Range on the left bank of River Chongchon.The Mt. Myohyang Biosphere Reserve is enclosed by river or residential districts in east, west and south and only the north is linked with mountain range forming the ecological corridor.The highest elevation above sea level is 1909m and the lowest is 100m.The biosphere reserve has unique landscape with rock cliffs of granite-greiss of Cenozonic era formed by ages 鈥搊ld erosion, as well as perennial streams fed by waterfalls.Myohyang Mountain Range stretched along River Chongchonin one direction and another to the direction of west centering Piro Peak. The soil is dark brown forest soilformed mainly by granite and granite-greiss.It is the continental climate with clearly distinguished four seasons. A dry season and rainy one are clear. A typical monsoon blows across the mountain.
Socio-Economics Characteristics
There is no inhabitant living within the core area. 18,400 peoples are living in buffer zone while 73,800 in transition area. Economic activities are mainly conducted in buffer zone and the transition area of the proposed Biosphere Reserve.Tourism is the main activity in buffer zone while the agriculture is the main economic activity in transition area. The main crops are rice, maize, vegetables and fruits. There is no ethnic group or indigenous people living in orne are the proposed biosphere reserve other than Korean.Mt.Myohyang has the International Friendship Exhibition, the grand monumental edifice and the cultural heritages including Pohyon Temple, which was built in 1042.From ancient times, Mt. Myohyang has been known as asacred and famous mountain, which had an ancestral legend of King Tangun, the progenitor of the Korean nationand one of the eight beauty spots in Korea.The lands are managed by 鈥渢he Law on land of DPRK鈥 and state-owned. The Mt. Myohyang Nature Reserve was designated on 25 March 1959 by Cabinet Dicision No. 29 and as natural park on June 17th, 2003 by Cabinet ratification no. 1063.The conservation and management agencies are regionally connected through the local governments and carry out theorders of government authorities. The Mt. Myohyang Scenic Spot Management Unit, Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Land and Environment Protection, County People鈥檚 Committee of Hyangsan, Nyengwon, Kugang and Huichon City.