Lighthouses of South Korea: Gangneung Area (Southern Gangwon)

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 the southern part of South Korea's east coast in the province of Gangwon (Gangwon-do), including the metropolitan cities of Gangneung, Donghae, and Samcheok. This coast faces the East Sea (commonly called the Sea of Japan in the West). Most of it is rugged and scenic, but there are some sandy beaches between the headlands. Although there are some famous and historic lighthouses on this coast, many of the more modern lights are not well known.

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 Donghae Navigation Aids Office
Information on major lighthouses of Gangwon Province.
KAAN Major Lighthouse Information
KAAN is the Korean Association of Aids to Navigation. Click on the map for information concerning each province, and then scroll down for small photos. All the data is in Korean. An English version of the page has the names of the lighthouses, but no photos.

Mukho Light
1963 Mukho Light, Donghae
Donghae City photo
Gangneung (Kangnung) City Lighthouses
* Namae Hang East Breakwater (3)
2008 (station establishment date unknown). Active; focal plane 19 m (59 ft); red flash every 4 s. 12 m (39 ft) round mushroom-shaped concrete tower, painted red. A 2009 closeup, another photo and another closeup are available. The first lighthouse was a skeletal tower seen in Dringe Augh's closeup photo; it was replaced by a round tower and then by the present light. The tower is not discernible in Google's fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of a breakwater on the north side of the entrance to the Namae River, about 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Jumunjin. The pier is at the south end of the popular Jumunjin beach, one of the longest sand beaches of Korea's east coast. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4455; NGA 16432.
* Namae Hang South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green flash every 4 s. 6 m (20 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. There's a photo of both breakwater lights, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Namae harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4455.4; NGA 16433.
* Jumunjin (Chumujin Dan)
1918. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); white flash every 7.5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery. 1-story brick keeper's house. Fog siren (one 5 s blast every 60 s). A closeup photo is at right, but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view of the area. The lighthouse was repaired after being damaged during fighting early in the Korean War. When the lighthouse was renovated in 2002 a public observation tower was built atop one of the auxiliary buildings. The station is a staffed communications facility. Located on a sharp promontory about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) north of Jumunjin. Site open, observation tower open daily, lighthouse tower closed. ARLHS SKR-006; Admiralty M4450; NGA 16436.
* Jumunjin East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. Dringe Augh has a closeup photo that also shows the south breakwater light in the distance, Stuart Fraser has a photo of both breakwater lights, another photo is available, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Located at the end of the east (outer) breakwater of Jumunjin. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4452; NGA 16440.
* Jumunjin South Breakwater (No. 2 Jetty)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green flash every 4 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted green. Matthew Pate has a photo, and Stuart Fraser has a closeup and a photo of both breakwater lights, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the east (outer) breakwater of Jumunjin. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4453; NGA 16448.
* Sacheon (Sach'onjin) North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. No photo available, but Bing has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Sacheon harbor in Gangneung. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4449.8; NGA 16451.
* Sacheon (Sach'onjin) South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. No photo available, but Bing has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Anmok harbor in Gangneung. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4449.85; NGA 16451.5.
* Anmok North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. A photo is available, David Vetter has a photo showing both breakwater lighthouses, and Bing has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Anmok harbor in Gangneung. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4449.7; NGA 16451.6.

Jumunjin Light
Jumunjin Light, Gangneung, May 2008
Panoramio photo copyright gps미친사나이
permission requested

* Anmok South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); green flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. A closeup photo is available, David Vetter has a photo showing both breakwater lighthouses, and Bing has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Anmok harbor in Gangneung. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4449.75; NGA 16451.65.
Jeongdongjin (Chongdongjin) Dan
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 89 m (292 ft); white flash every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a prominent headland about 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast of Gangneung. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4449.5; NGA 16452.

Donghae (Tonghae) City Lighthouses
* Geumjin Hang Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. A photo of both breakwater lights is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Geumjin harbor, about 16 km (10 mi) north of Donghae. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4449.3; NGA 16449.
* Geumjin Hang Groyne
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Geumjin harbor, about 16 km (10 mi) north of Donghae. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4449.35; NGA 16450.
* Okkye Hang North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. A photo shows both breakwater lighthouses, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Okke harbor, about 11 km (7 mi) north of Donghae. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4449.1; NGA 16454.
* Okkye Hang South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (39 ft); green flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. A photo shows both breakwater lighthouses, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Geumjin harbor, about 11 km (7 mi) north of Donghae. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4449.2; NGA 16454.1.
** Mukho (1)
1963. Inactive since 2008. 12 m (39 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Fog horn (one 5 s blast every 55 s). Keeper's house and other buildings, including a small building that houses historical and educational exhibits. A photo is at the top of this page; a good closeup and a more distant view are available. This lighthouse, which served as a landfall light for Mukho and Donghae, is a popular attraction because of its spectacular view of the East Sea. Located on a headland that shelters the harbor of Mukho, on the north side of Donghae (Tonghae). Site open, museum open daily, tower status unknown.
* Mukho (2)
2008. Active; focal plane 88 m (289 ft); white flash every 10 s. 21 m (69 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and large round observation room. Entire lighthouse is white. Fog horn (blast every 55 s). A photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. Located near the historic lighthouse. Site open, tower probably open, but no details are available. Admiralty M4447; NGA 16464.
Mukho East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) square concrete tower, painted red. No photo available; Seok Ha-Jang has a very distant view across the harbor, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Mukho harbor. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4448.4; NGA 16467.
Mukho West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); green flash every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. A photo is available (first photo on the page), and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Mukho harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4448; NGA 16466.
Mukho South Groyne
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. No photo available; Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south groin, a breakwater about 350 m (0.2 mi) south of the older West Breakwater. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4448.5; NGA 16469.
Donghae (Bugpyeong Hang) North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two red flashes every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. A photo of the breakwater and a distant photo of the two breakwater lights are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Donghae harbor. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4446.6; NGA 16480.
New Mukho Light
New Mukho Light, Donghae, December 2008
ImageShack.us photo by 임보순;
also available on Panoramio; permission requested
Donghae (Bugpyeong Hang) South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); green flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. A closeup photo is available, as well as a distant photo of the two breakwater lights, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Donghae harbor. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4446.5; NGA 16484.

Samcheok City Lighthouses
* Samcheok Hang East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); red flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. A closeup is available, the light is visible in a panoramic view of the harbor, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Samcheok harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4436; NGA 16488.
Samcheok Hang
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 31 m (102 ft) steel skeletal tower with gallery. No photo available, but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a wharf at Samcheok, a harbor about 4 km (2.5 mi) southeast of the Donghae harbor. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4437.2; NGA 16487.
Samcheok Hang West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. The light is visible in a panoramic view of the harbor, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Samcheok harbor. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4437; NGA 16492.
Bimal (Pi Mal)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 72 m (236 ft); white flash every 5 s. 8 m (26 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a promontory about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Samcheok. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4435; NGA 16496.
* Deoksan (Toksan) Hang East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. No photo available, but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Deoksan harbor, a small craft port sheltered by the cape of Bimal. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4434.75; NGA 16505.
* Deoksan (Toksan) Hang West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (43 ft); green flash every 5 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. No photo available, but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Deoksan harbor, a small craft port sheltered by the cape of Bimal. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4434.7; NGA 16506.
* Jangho Hang Groyne
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. Sunkyo Jung has a photo, the light is visible in Jung-Eun Lim's panoramic view of the harbor, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Jangho harbor, a small craft port about 25 km (15 mi) south of Samcheok. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4434.3; NGA 16502.
* Jangho Hang Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. The light is visible in Jung-Eun Lim's panoramic view of the harbor, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Jangho harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4434.2; NGA 16504.
Imweon (Imwon) Hang
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 60 m (97 ft); white flash every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. The light is visible at the tip of the cape in a panoramic view of the harbor, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on a promontory about 32 km (20 mi) north of Uljin. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4433.7; NGA 16508.
Imweon Hang East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); red flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. The light is visible in a panoramic view of the harbor, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Imweon harbor. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4433.9; NGA 16518.
Imweon Hang West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green flash every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. The light is visible in a panoramic view of the harbor, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Imweon harbor. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4433.8; NGA 16516.
Hosan North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical steel tower, painted red. Park Minseok's photo is at right, Min Woo Lee has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Hosan, a recreational harbor about 20 km (13 mi) north of Uljin. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4433.5; NGA 16551.
Hosan South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical steel tower, painted white. Min Woo Lee has a photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Hosan, a recreational harbor about 20 km (13 mi) north of Uljin. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4433.6; NGA 16551.1.
Hosan North Breakwater Light
Hosan North Breakwater Light, February 2008
Panoramio photo copyright Park Minseok; permission requested

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Sokcho Area | South: Uljin Area

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Posted October 29, 2007. Checked and revised January 29, 2013. Lighthouses: 34. Site copyright 2013 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.