Yangyang County
Yangyang
양양군 | |
|---|---|
 Naksansa Temple | |
 Flag  Emblem of Yangyang | |
 Location in South Korea | |
| Country |  South Korea |
| State |  Gangwon |
| Administrative divisions | 1 eup, 5 myeon |
| Area | |
• Total | 629.77 km2 (243.16 sq mi) |
| Population (February 2026[1]) | |
• Total | 27,390 |
| • Density | 43.5/km2 (113/sq mi) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 양양군 |
| Hanja | 襄陽郡 |
| RR | Yangyang-gun |
| MR | Yangyang-gun |
Yangyang County (Korean: 양양군) is a county in Gangwon Province, South Korea. Its population is about 27,000 as of 2026.
History
[edit source]Prior to the Three Kingdoms period, Yangyang belonged to Eastern Ye. When Goguryeo occupied the region, it was called Ikyeon-hyeon (익현현; 翼峴縣) or Imun-hyeon (이문현; 伊文縣). After Silla conquered Goguryeo, it was renamed to Ingnyeong-hyeon (익령현; 翼嶺縣).
In 1221, it was promoted to Yangju (양주; 襄州) for fighting off Mongolian soldiers. However, it was demoted to Deongnyeong-hyeon (덕녕현; 德寧縣) for surrendering to the enemy. In 1260, it was restored to Yangju.
As it was the hometown of Taejo of Joseon's mother, it was promoted to bu (부; 府) in 1397. In 1416, its name was changed to Yangyang.[2]
Administrative divisions
[edit source]| Name | Korean text | Area (km2) | Population (2026) | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yangyang-eup | 양양읍 | 32.4 | 12,615 |  |
| Seo-myeon | 서면 | 267.8 | 2,600 | |
| Sonyang-myeon | 손양면 | 47.4 | 2,153 | |
| Hyeonbuk-myeon | 현북면 | 164.85 | 2,597 | |
| Hyeonnam-myeon | 현남면 | 64.56 | 2,911 | |
| Ganghyeon-myeon | 강현면 | 52.76[3] | 4,514[1] | |
| Total | 629.77 | 27,390 | ||
Industry
[edit source]The cultivation acreage is 3,724ha. Major crops are rice, corn, potato and beans. The forest area is 52,480ha. Major forest products are chestnut and songi.
There are 968 fishers as of 2008. Major catches are myeongtae, squid, anchovy and mackerel. Yangyang Inland Fisheries Research Institute releases salmon from hatcheries into Namdae Stream.
Yangyang Iron Mine used to be South Korea's biggest iron mine but closed in 1994 due to the depletion of iron ore and high production costs. The manufacturing industry is weak with only refrigeration facilities in Yangyang-eup.[2]
Education
[edit source]Yangyang Hyanggyo was established in 1329.
As of 2015, there are 14 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 2 high schools.[2] Yangyang Campus of Kwandong University opened in 1995 but closed in 2008.[4]
Transport
[edit source]Airport
[edit source]Yangyang International Airport began operation in 2002 but became a "ghost airport", probably because of the construction of new motorways.[5] All flights were suspended in 2023 when Fly Gangwon which used the airport as its base went bankrupt.[6]
Roads
[edit source]Donghae Expressway and Seoul–Yangyang Expressway pass through the region.[2]
Culture and tourism
[edit source]Heritage
[edit source]
- Naksansa: Buddhist temple founded in 671, it is designated as historic site.[7] Uisangdae Pavilion and Hongnyeonam Hermitage in the temple are designated as scenic sites.[8]
- Three-story Stone Pagoda at Jinjeonsa Temple Site is representative of stone pagodas made in Unified Silla.[9] It is the only national treasure in Yangyang.[10]
Nature
[edit source]_-_panoramio.jpg)
Hajodae is a cliffed coast surrounded by a pine tree forest. It is designated as a scenic site. Ha Ryun and Jo Jun, founding contributors of Joseon, are said to have planned the revolution here.[11] Hajodae Beach is popular among family vacationers.[12] Naksan Beach is also popular.[13] The nearby Surfyy Beach is a popular place to surf.[14]
Seoraksan spans over Yangyang, Sokcho, Goseong, and Inje.[15]
Festivals
[edit source]- Hyeonsan Culture Festival is held around Dano for the harmony and prosperity of residents. Started in 1007 (10th year of the reign of King Mokjong), its modern form was established in 1979.[16]
- Yangyang Songi Festival: Started in 1997, it is held every October. Visitors can pick mushrooms, try songi dishes and enjoy takjangsanori (탁장사놀이, traditional game based on the story of Tak Jangsa who carried geumgangsong during the construction of Gyeongbokgung).[17]
- Yangyang Salmon Festival: Started in 1997, visitors can catch and eat salmon.[18]
Climate
[edit source]As Yangyang is located between the steep slope of the Taebaek Mountains and East Sea, its climate is close to oceanic climate.[2]
Notable people
[edit source]- Kim Yoo-mi, actress
Sister cities
[edit source]
Gallery
[edit source]
Three-story Stone Pagoda at Jinjeonsa Temple Site
References
[edit source]- 1 2 "Population statistics". Korea Ministry of the Interior and Safety. February 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Park, Seong-ho; Lim, Ho-min (2024-06-20). "양양군". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
- ↑ "행정구역". Yangyang County. Retrieved 2026-03-17.
- ↑ Kim, Bo-gyeong (2024-11-27). "가톨릭관동대 양양캠퍼스 활용방안 못찾고 성과 없이 해넘겨". Kangwon Ilbo.
- ↑ Sudworth, John (2009-05-18). "South Korea's abandoned airports". London: BBC News. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
- ↑ Lee, Inmo (2025-03-30). "개점휴업 양양국제공항 다시 날자꾸나… 8월 재개 전망". Donga Ilbo.
- ↑ "양양 낙산사 일원". National Heritage Portal.
- ↑ "양양 낙산사 의상대와 홍련암". National Heritage Portal.
- ↑ "양양 진전사지 삼층석탑". National Heritage Portal.
- ↑ "천년의 역사 양양". Yangyang Tourism.
- ↑ "양양 하조대". National Heritage Portal.
- ↑ "하조대해수욕장". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
- ↑ 손승호 (2017). "낙산해수욕장". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean). Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
- ↑ Kim, Dong-eun (2024-06-12). "한적한 어촌서 핫플로…양양 서피비치의 변신". Maeil Economy.
- ↑ Lee, Yeong-sik. "우리나라에서 세 번째로 높은 양양 설악산". Region N Culture.
- ↑ Jang, Jeong-ryong (2023-10-19). "현산문화제". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
- ↑ Lee, Yeong-su. "송이버섯 나는 계절엔 양양으로! '양양송이축제'". Region N Culture.
- ↑ Lee, Hak-ju. "집으로 돌아온 연어 '양양연어축제'". Region N Culture.
- ↑ "국제교류". Yangyang County.
External links
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| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
