Dokdo, one of the underwater scenic spots selected for the North Gyeongsang East Sea coast list. [North Gyeongsang Culture and Tourism Corporation]
Dokdo, one of the underwater scenic spots selected for the North Gyeongsang East Sea coast list. [North Gyeongsang Culture and Tourism Corporation]

The North Gyeongsang Culture and Tourism Corporation has unveiled its list of "10+1 Underwater Scenic Spots of the North Gyeongsang East Sea Coast."

The corporation announced the list Wednesday at Ulleungdo and Dokdo, highlighting the mysterious underwater ecosystems and breathtaking landscapes along the East Sea coast.

The selected sites include Pohang's Homibando Peninsula, known for its dramatic rock formations; Gyeongju's Munmudaewangneung, a royal underwater tomb registered as a UNESCO World Geopark; and Uljin's Wangdolcho, a vast submerged reef.

Also included are Ulleung's Jukdo, a habitat for black coral; Gwaneumdo, praised for its exceptional underwater scenery; and Dokdo, home to the country's largest colony of soft coral.

At the unveiling ceremony held at Jukdo, singer Lee Eun-mi — known by her nickname "Barefoot Diva" and a certified scuba diving master, as well as an adjunct professor in the applied music department at Daegu Catholic University — was appointed honorary promotional ambassador for North Gyeongsang's East Sea.

Singer Lee Eun-mi, newly appointed as honorary promotional ambassador for North Gyeongsang's East Sea, prepares to enter the water near Jukdo. [North Gyeongsang Culture and Tourism Corporation]
Singer Lee Eun-mi, newly appointed as honorary promotional ambassador for North Gyeongsang's East Sea, prepares to enter the water near Jukdo. [North Gyeongsang Culture and Tourism Corporation]

Immediately after the appointment ceremony, Lee dived with a team of professional divers to a depth of about 40 meters near Jukdo, exploring a rare underwater landscape where colonies of black coral — a protected marine species — meet towering submerged rock walls.

The corporation also unveiled the official poster for the underwater scenic spots at the event and presented a certificate of appreciation to Kim Yu-gon, a Jukdo resident who has devoted his life to marine conservation around Ulleungdo.

The corporation plans to produce a series of content pieces based on the underwater scenic spots and use them as tourism resources.

"This is the first time we have selected and announced underwater scenic spots in North Gyeongsang's East Sea," corporation President Kim Nam-il said. "It will be a meaningful opportunity to introduce the pristine underwater scenery of the East Sea — largely unknown until now — to audiences at home and abroad."


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com