South Korean and Chinese scholars will pursue joint studies on biological resources present on Mount Baekdu, which straddles the border between China and the Korean Peninsula.

Researchers at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology attended a bilateral forum discussing Mount Baekdu held at Yanbian University in China.

The two sides discussed cooperation in the study of indigenous biological resources found on Baekdu, and agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding in the coming days.

The Korean institute and the Chinese university said that they discussed ways to systematically secure, preserve and utilize genetic resources in the Mount Baekdu region including of fauna, flora and microorganisms. The forum also discussed bilateral personnel exchanges in the bio sector. 

Mount Baekdu is known to be a treasure trove of rare, natural resources and is considered a sacred mountain to both Koreans and Chinese.