Paris: A scenic mountain renowned for its seasonal beauty, North Korea's Mount Kumgang has been officially designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Mount Kumgang was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Paris. The site is officially listed as "Mt. Kumgang - Diamond Mountain from the Sea."

Earlier this year, the International Council on Monuments and Sites and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which advise the World Heritage Committee, recommended Mount Kumgang for inclusion on the list. UNESCO's website describes it as "a strikingly beautiful mountain with numerous peaks and curious rocks, featuring around 1,200 waterfalls and pools formed by crystal-clear waters from hundreds of gorges, alongside a scenic coastline."

Celebrating the designation, North Korean delegates raised their national flag after the decision was announced. UNESCO's summary of Mount Kumgang highlights its status as a mixed natural and cultural heritage site, showcasing landscapes of exceptional beauty and significant physiographical features.

The mountain is recognized for its rich Buddhist mountain culture and a longstanding tradition of mountain worship and pilgrimage. It features remarkable scenery, including lofty peaks, valleys, waterfalls, pools, lagoons, and dramatic seascapes.

North Korea initially submitted the application for World Heritage status in 2021, but the review process was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming this year. Mount Kumgang is now North Korea's third World Cultural Heritage site, alongside the Complex of Koguryo Tombs, inscribed in 2004, and the Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong, added in 2013. Additionally, in 2014, "Arirang, lyrical folk song in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" was designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.