Invest KOREA

South Korea's first lady Kim Yoon-ok formally joined the country's campaign Wednesday to include its southern resort island of Jeju on a new list of world wonders.

   The volcanic island is seeking to become one of the New7Wonders of Nature as designated by a Switzerland-based non-profit organization. It is among 28 nominated sites around the world that also include the Galapagos Islands, Grand Canyon and Mount Kilimanjaro.

   Kim was named honorary head of a government-civilian committee to publicize and promote Jeju's bid in a ceremony held at the presidential compound, Cheong Wa Dae, officials said.

   "I hope that Jeju's bid will become a beautiful and enjoyable challenge that wins support from many South Koreans and others around the world," Kim said. "Of course, the outcome is important but we should appreciate each process to discover and publicize Jeju's charms."

Participants in the event included former prime minister Chung Un-chan, who is leading the National Committee for Jeju New7Wonders of Nature, Jeju Governor Woo Geun-min and several TV celebrities working as honorary ambassadors for the island.

   The first lady said the subtropical island has a combination of scenic mountains, waterfalls, forests and beaches, drawing visitors again and again.

   Jeju was designated as a "biosphere reserve" in 2002 by UNESCO and listed as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2007, she noted. It was also awarded "geopark" status last year, becoming the only place on the planet to receive all three UNESCO honors.

   Jeju has recorded the biggest increase in the number of approval votes among the candidates since January, when President Lee Myung-bak voted for the island online, presidential spokeswoman Kim Hee-jung quoted committee officials as saying.

   Lee's move has led to extensive media coverage on Jeju's ambition, helping to enhance public awareness of the campaign, she told a press briefing.

   Voting to select the New7Wonders began in 2009 on the Internet and by phone. The winners of the title will be decided on Nov. 11 this year, according to the organizers.

   Meanwhile, former prime minister Chung refused to answer a reporter's question on his alleged personal relationship with Shin Jeong-ah, a disgraced figure in the art world who was at the center of a degree-forging scandal in 2007.

   Chung tersely said he came to Cheong Wa Dae to attend the event on Jeju's bid for the New7Wonders, not to talk about the sensitive matter.

   Chung, already embroiled in conflicts with some senior government officials and lawmakers over his proposal for conglomerates to share some of their excessive profits with subcontractors for joint growth, has been accused of lying about his ties to Shin, formerly a museum curator and professor at Dongguk University. She was convicted of forging a Yale University doctorate and embezzling funds.

   In her memoir published earlier this week, she claimed Chung had sought to recruit her as a professor and head of a museum at Seoul National University while he was serving as its president.

   On Tuesday, Chung told Yonhap News Agency that Shin's accusations are not even worth mentioning because all of them are untrue.

   He added he has already conveyed to Cheong Wa Dae his intent to quit his job as chief of the Commission for the Shared Growth for Large and Small Companies.

   The Cheong Wa Dae spokeswoman, however, told reporters that she has no updates for the press regarding Chung's move.

   She said earlier that the president asked him to remain in office.

Source: Yonhap News (March 23, 2011)