Lighthouses of South Korea: Yeosu

For most of its history, Korea was an independent kingdom, or at least an autonomous kingdom under Chinese influence. This came to an end in 1910, when Japan annexed all of Korea. At the end of World War II in 1945, the 38° parallel was established as the dividing line between U.S. and Soviet zones of occupation, and in 1948 separate civil administrations were established in the two halves of the country. The Korean War (1950-53) ended in a draw, with the armistice line falling close to the prewar 38° line. The Republic of Korea (ROK), commonly called South Korea, occupies the Korean peninsula south of the armistice line.

This page covers lighthouses of Yeosu, a major port in southeastern Jeollanam (South Jeolla) province. Yeosu is located in the central part of Korea's south coast. The city occupies the Yeosu peninsula and includes several hundred islands of all sizes. The islands of Dolsando, Geomodo, and Yeondo extend southward in a ragged line from the southeastern end of the Yeosu peninsula. The population of the city was only about 300,000 in 2007, but the port is developing rapidly as an alternative to Busan.

Navigational aids in the ROK are regulated by the Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs (MLTM). MLTM also operates the major coastal lights, but management of harbor lighthouses is in the hands of local port authorities. In Korean, the word for a lighthouse is donghae (등대); dan is a cape, do is an island, and hang is a harbor.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume M of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.

General Sources
Port of Yeosu - Navigational Aids
This site has a map of navigational aids in the Yeosu area and links to information pages for the major lighthouses (all in Korean).
Kiso's Lighthouses - Korea
Photos posted by a Japanese lighthouse fan.


Odongdo Light, Yeosu
Yeosu Port Office photo
Gwangyang Harbor Lighthouses
Gwangyang (Kwangyang) Passage III
1999. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 24 m (79 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, painted red. Access to the galleries is by an external stairway the spirals around the tower. Jürgen Klinksiek's photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. Located in the entrance to the industrial harbor of Gwangyang, off the eastern end of the island of Myodo, about 20 km (13 mi) north of Yeosu. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4310.82; NGA 17200.8.
Myodo Yudmal
1996. Inactive since 2007. The light is mounted on a 35 m (115 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower. Tower painted white. Google has a satellite view. Located at the eastern end of Myodo, an island in the center of Gwangyang harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4310.99; NGA 17201.
Nakpo
1996. Inactive since 2007. 35 m (115 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower, painted white. A cloud blocks Google's satellite view. Located in a petroleum depot on the south side of the entrance to Gwangyang harbor. Site and tower closed. Admiralty M4310.8; NGA 17171.5.
Dunpyeongtan (Tunpyeongtan)
2005. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted black with one red horizontal band. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located on a small island about 1200 m (3/4 mi) off the east coast of the Yeosu Peninsula, halfway between Gwangyang and Yeosu harbors. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4310.63; NGA 17123.

Yeosu Harbor Lighthouses
Yeosu New Port (Yosushin Hang) North Breakwater
1992. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, painted red. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of the harbor, north of Odongdo. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4310.3; NGA 17126.
* Yeosu Expo 2012
2010. Active; focal plane about 15 m (49 ft); light characteristic unknown. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round concrete tower, shaped like a torch, mounted on a square concrete base. A closeup photo, a second photo (near the bottom of the page) and another photo (also near the bottom of the page) are available, but the light is too new to appear in Google's satellite view. Located on the waterfront of the Expo 2012 world's fair site. Site open; visitors can climb to an obesrvation platform near the base of the tower.
Kwangyang Passage Light
Gwangyang Passage III Light, January 2000
photo copyright Jürgen Klinksiek; used by permission
* Yeosu New Port (Yosushin Hang) East Breakwater
2010. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); green flash every 4 s. 18 m (59 ft) round concrete tower, shaped like a torch, mounted on a square concrete base. A photo is available, and an article announcing the lighthouse has an architect's drawing, but the light is too new to appear in Google's satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater, which extends northward from Odongdo. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. KR-2453.5; Admiralty M4310.1.
*** Odongdo (Yeosu) (2)
2002 (station established 1952). Active; focal plane 61 m (200 ft); white flash every 10 s. 27 m (82 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and a large octagonal observation deck about 3/4 of the way up the tower. A square cylindrical secondary tower, connected by a bridge to the observation deck, has an elevator providing visitor access to the deck. Entire structure painted white. A 2-story building connected to the lighthouse is the public information center for the 2012 World's Fair in Yeosu. A 2008 photo is available, Kiso also has a photo (fourth lighthouse listed), and Google has a satellite view. This modern lighthouse replaced a 10.5 m (34 ft) tower built during the Korean War. Odongdo is an island about 500 m (0.4 mi) in diameter that partly shelters the harbor of Yeosu. The island is connected to the mainland by a broad breakwater and causeway about 800m (0.5 mi) long. Located on the highest point of the island, commanding a sweeping view of the bay and islands in the vicinity. Site open; observation deck open daily. ARLHS SKR-018; Admiralty M4310; NGA 17116.
Yangam (Yang-Am)
1986. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 17 m (56 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, mounted on a round concrete pier. Lighthouse painted black with one broad red horizontal band. Google has a good satellite view. Located on a shoal about 800 m (1/2 mi) east of the Odongdo lighthouse. Accessible only by boat, but there must be a good view from Odongdo. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4309.8; NGA 17100.
* Hamel
2005. Active; light characteristic unknown. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and four ribs. Lighthouse painted red. A photo is at right, Justin Lee has a photo, another photo is available, the city has a closeup, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse recognizes Hendrick Hamel, a Dutchman shipwrecked near Yeosu in 1653 with 35 crewmates; he lived in Korea for 13 years and later wrote a book about his adventures. Located at the end of short breakwater on the north side of Yeosu harbor. Readily accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed.
* Yeosu Gu Hang
1981. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); green flash every 4 s. 7.5 m (25 ft) post light attached to a round 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a short pier on the north side of Yeosu harbor. Site status unknown, but the light is easily seen from the quay. Admiralty M4310.54; NGA 17140.
Janggungdo (Changgungdo)
1986. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal white concrete tower. Pablo Seo has a distant view from the waterfront, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the northwestern corner of Janggungdo, an island in the center of Yeosu's harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4310.57; NGA 17136.
Dolsan (Dolsando, Tolsan, Yeosu Hang)
Date unknown (station established 1944). Active; focal plane 115 m (377 ft); white flash every 5 s. 9 m (30 ft) octagonal white concrete tower with gallery. A very distant view from the water is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a high hill on the southeast side of the Yeosu harbor entrance. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4309; NGA 17104.
Hamel Light
Hamel Light, Yeosu, July 2009
Flickr photo copyright Hexe75; permission requested

Dolsando Area Lighthouses
Note: Dolsando is an island about 15 km (9 mi) long and 10 km (6 mi) wide, located southeast of the Yeosu peninsula. The island is accessible from Yeosu by bridge.
Geumseong (Kumsong)
1986. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); red flash every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted red. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a reef just off the south coast of Dolsando. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4308.5; NGA 17160.
* Jakgeum Hang
2002. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower with three decorative ribs, painted red. Google's indistinct satellite view fails to show the tower. Located on the east breakwater of a small boat harbor at the southern end of Dolsando. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4308.45.
Wolho
2000. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green flash every 4 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, mounted on a round concrete pier. Lighthouse painted green. Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a rock off Jakgeum Hang. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4307.2.
Hwataedo
1997. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green flash every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower, painted green. Google has a distant satellite view. Located off the southwestern tip of Dolsando, Hwataedo is one of the numerous small islands between Yeondo and the southern end of the Yeosu peninsula. The lighthouse is off the east end of Hwataedo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NGA 17154.
Dolsando Approaches (Tolsando)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); nine quick white flashes every 15 s. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower, painted yellow with one black horizontal band. No photo available, but Google has a distant satellite view. Located off the west coast of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4307.25; NGA 17153.
Daehoenggando (Taehonggan Do)
1965. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); nine quick white flashes every 15 s. 9 m (30 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower, painted yellow with one black horizontal band. The tower is not seen in Google's distant satellite view. Located at the end of an underwater reef off the northwestern tip of Hoenggando, about 2 km (1.25 mi) south of Dolsando. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4308.4; NGA 17156.
Horido
1995. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); quick-flashing white light. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, mounted on a round concrete pier. Upper half of the lighthouse painted black, lower half yellow. Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a rock in the channel about 8 km (5 mi) west of Dolsando. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4306.5; NGA 17215.

Geomodo Area Lighthouses
Note: Geomodo is an island south of Dolsando and north of Yeondo. The island is accessible by ferry.
Hamgumi
2000. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, painted white. Google's distant satellite view does not show the tower. Located on the northwestern tip of Geomodo. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4307.05; NGA 17226.
Baedaseo
2007. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 6 s. 10 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, mounted on a round concrete pier. Upper half of the lighthouse painted black, lower half yellow. The lighthouse is too new to appear in Google's satellite view. Located on a shoal about 5 km (3 mi) east of Geomodo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4307.78.
Huseo (Huso)
1998. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, mounted on a round concrete pier. Lighthouse painted black with a red horizontal band. Google has a distant satellite view that probably shows the light. Located on a shoal just off the central east coast of Geomodo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4307.75; NGA 17074.5.
Soyu
1989. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); three quick white flashes every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, mounted on a round concrete pier. Lighthouse painted black with a yellow horizontal band. Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a shoal just off the central east coast of Geomodo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4307.7; NGA 17074.
Iljonggot
2008. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); nine quick white flashes every 10 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, mounted on a round concrete pier. Lighthouse painted black with a yellow horizontal band. The lighthouse is too new to appear in Google's satellite view. Located just off the southwestern tip of Geomodo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4307.28.

Yeondo (Sorido) Area Lighthouses
Note: Yeondo, formerly called Sorido, is a rugged island about 5.5 km (3.5 mi) long, located at the end of an archipelago extending southward into the Korea Strait from the end of the Yeosu peninsula. The island is accessible by high-speed ferry from Yeosu.
Singangseo (Shingangso)
1992. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); quick-flashing white light. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, mounted on a round concrete pier. Lighthouse painted black with a broad red horizontal band. The lighthouse is probably centered in a fuzzy Google satellite view. Located just off the northern tip of Yeondo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4308.1; NGA 17069.5.
Jakdo
2003. Active; focal plane 117 m (384 ft); white flash every 10 s. 20 m (66 ft) square steel tower. No photo available, but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located atop a small but high island about 10 km (6 mi) east of Yeondo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4308.15; NGA 17063.
Ganyeo-Am
1986. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); white flash every 6 s, 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. Google has only a very distant satellite view of the rock. Located on an isolated rock about 13 km (8 mi) south of Yeondo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4308.2; NGA 17080.
Sorido (Sori Do, Yeondo)
1910. Active; focal plane 82 m (269 ft); white flash every 12 s. 9 m (30 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. Several additional 1-story station buildings. Fog siren (one blast every 54 s). A photo is at right, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. It is not clear if the light station is readily accessible. Located on a sharp promontory at the southeastern tip of the island. Site status unknown. ARLHS SKR-028; Admiralty M4308; NGA 17064.
Gumong-Am (Kumong-Am)
1986. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal cylindrical white concrete tower with gallery. The site is barely visible in Google's satellite view. Located on an isolated rock off the northwestern coast of Yeondo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4307.3; NGA 17068.
Goseo (Koso)
1985. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white (?) flash every 6 s. 9 m (30 ft) octagonal white concrete tower with gallery. Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a small island about 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Yeondo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4307; NGA 17224.
Sohoenggando
1989. Active; focal plane 72 m (236 ft); white flash every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal white concrete tower. Google has a very distant satellite view. Located on a small island off the southern tip of the Yeosu peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4307.8; NGA 17075.
Sorido Light
Sorido Light
Yeosu Port Office photo

Southwest Yeosu Peninsula Lighthouses
Daedan (Taedan)
2001. Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white flash every 4 s. 13 m (43 ft) octagonal cylindrical white concrete tower with gallery. Google has an indistinct satellite view of the location. Located on a promontory about 20 km (13 mi) southeast of Yeosu. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4308.98; NGA 17101.
Baegyado (Paegyado, Paekyado) (1)
1928. Inactive since 2006. 14 m (46 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. The port office has a portfolio of photos of the station, a good closeup is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Baegyado (Paegyado) is an island off the southern tip of the Yeosu peninsula. Located on the eastern end of the island. Site status unknown. ARLHS SKR-022.
Baegyado (Paegyado, Paekyado) (2)
2006 (station established 1928). Active; focal plane 58 m (190 ft); white flash every 20 s. 24 m (79 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Several 1-story keeper's houses and other light station buildings. All structures painted white. A port office photo is at right. The new lighthouse was announced in a Notice to Mariners dated 1 December 2006. Apparently located adjacent to the historic lighthouse, although no photos have been found showing both towers. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4306; NGA 17216.
Yeoja Man (Yoja Man)
1991. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower, painted black with one red horizontal band. Google has a satellite view. Located on an isolated rock west of Togyang. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4305.5; NGA 17218.

2006 Baegyado Light; Yeosu Port Office photo

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: East: Sacheon and Namhae | South: Jeju | West: Goheung Area

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Posted January 9, 2008. Lighthouses: 36. Checked and revised May 26, 2012. Site copyright 2012 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.