A forest in Korea's Gyeonggi Province is aiming to be registered into UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves next May. Gwangneung Forest and surrounding area spanning nearly 40,000 hectares is the country's only designated reserve forest. On top of nearby mountain peaks, communities of hornbeams can be found. This particular type of tree can survive only in a climax forest, a plant community at the mature stage of natural forest succession that doesn't undergo much change over long periods of time.

Since King Sejo was laid to rest in the area in 1468, the forest has been left untouched by humans for over 500 years. And following the recent registration of Gwangneung, King Sejo and his wife's tombs as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the regional government and the Korea Forest Service have begun pushing for global recognition of the forest's worth.

This is not the first bid for the forest to be included on UNESCO's list along with 107 other biospheres reserves in more than 500 sites around the world, including six, such as Jeju Island, on the Korean peninsula. Several attempts in the past faced strong opposition from the residents in the region.

Along with UNESCO's developmental and conservatory support systems, listed sites take advantage of promotion through the international body's publications and online resources. Gyeonggi Province is reportedly developing tour packages targeting overseas travelers in collaboration with other surrounding cultural and historical sites. Officials also hope to profit from upgrading the brand value of the region's produce by tagging it with the UNESCO certification.