Lighthouses of South Korea: Jeollanam (Mokpo Area)

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 Jeollanam Province, located on South Korea's southwest coast in the region formerly known as Jeolla or Cholla. Today this part of Korea includes two provinces, Jeollanam (South Jeolla) and Jeollabuk (North Jeolla). The coast of Jeolla faces southwest on the East China Sea and west on the Yellow Sea. It is an intricate and rocky coast, with numerous islands of all sizes offshore. Although there are several famous and historic lighthouses on this coast, most 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 deungdae; 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 Mokpo - Lighthouses
Photos and information in English.
Kiso's Lighthouses - Korea
Photos posted by a Japanese lighthouse fan.
Korean Association of Aids to Navigation - Jeollanam
Photos and limited information for five of the provinces's most famous lighthouses.

Hongdo Light
Hongdo Light; Port of Mokpo photo

Jukdo Light
Jukdo Light; Port of Mokpo photo

Wando-Bogildo Area Lighthouses
* Chunsando (Chunsan To) South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red flash every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, painted red. M.C. Han has a view from across the harbor, the light is in the background of Kim Solmae's photo of the north breakwater light, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Chunsando is an island about 18 km (11 mi) southeast of Wando. Located on the south breakwater of Chunsando harbor, on the northwest side of the island. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4283.4; NGA 17336.
* Chunsando (Chunsan To) North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); green flash every 6 s. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, painted white. Kim Solmae has a closeup photo, Kim Bong-Sun has a closeup and another photo, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Located on the north breakwater of Chunsando harbor. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4283.6; NGA 17338.
Meeruam
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) tower, painted black with one red horizontal band. No photo available. Located about 5 km (3 mi) south of Wando. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4280.5; NGA 17328.
Yongjoncho
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 17 m (56 ft) tower, painted black with one red horizontal band. No photo available. Located about 12 km (7.5 mi) southwest of Wando. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4279.45; NGA 17322.
Dangsado (Jagaedo, Chagaedo, Dongsado) (1)
1909. Inactive since 2008. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white. A photo is at right, and Google has a very distant satellite view of the station. 1-story concrete keeper's house. In 2008, plans were announced to restore the lighthouse and open it to visitors on the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 2009. Jagaedo (Dongsado) is a small island south of the larger island of Bogildo and about 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Wando. There is ferry service from Wando to Bogildo, and transportation to Jagaedo can be arranged. Located on the southeastern point of the island. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4282; NGA 17340.
Dangsado (Jagaedo, Chagaedo, Dongsado) (2)
2008 (station esatblished 1909). Active; focal plane 109 m (358 ft); white flash every 20 s. 21 m (69 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is red. Fog siren (8 s blast every 48 s on request). A photo is at right. Located on the southeastern point of the island. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4282; NGA 17340.

New (left) and old Dangsado Lights; Port of Mokpo photo
Churuncho
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 24 m (79 ft) tower, painted black with one red horizontal band. No photo available, and the light is barely visible in Google's distant satellite view. Located about 5 km (3 mi) southwest of Jagaedo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NGA 17341.
Seoneobdo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 51 m (167 ft); white flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, and Google has only a very distant satellite view of the location. Located at the west end of Seoneob island, about 20 km (13 mi) northwest of Dangsado. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4278.15; NGA 17531.
Jugguldo (Chukkul Do)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 51 m (167 ft); white flash every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, and Google has only a very distant satellite view of the location. Located on a small island, about 7 km (4 mi) northwest of Seoneob. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4278.2; NGA 17530.
Milmaedo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); white flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, and Google has only a very distant satellite view of the location. Located on a small island, about 7 km (4 mi) northwest of Juggul. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4278.3; NGA 17529.
Oryongdo
1910. Active; focal plane 93 m (305 ft); white flash every 15 s. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white. Fog horn (one blast every 40 s). Two 1-story concrete keeper's cottages. KAAN's photo is at right, a 2010 photo is available, and Google has a distant satellite view of the station. Oryongdo is a high island about 8 km (5 mi) south of Oran. Located on the highest point of the island, near the northeast end. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4278; NGA 17532.
* Galdu Hang
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 5 s. 11 m (36 ft) tapered square white concrete skeletal tower with gallery. A closeup photo is available, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater at Galdu, a small port at the south end of Haenam County. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4279.36; NGA 17533.5.

Jindo Area Lighthouses
Pangtangso (Pangtang Rock)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 4 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located on a rock in the Myeongnyang Strait, which separates Jindo from the mainland, about 4 km (2.5 mi) east of the Jindo Bridge. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4242; NGA 17604.
Hajo-do (Hajodo, Hojodo)
1909. Active; focal plane 48 m (158 ft); white flash every 10 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire station painted white. Fog siren (one blast every 55 s). Kiso has a view from the sea (halfway down the page), and Google has a very distant satellite view. Hajo-do is an island about 7 km (4.5 mi) long and 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Jindo. The island has a population of about 1800 and is probably accessible by ferry from Yongdong. Located at the tip of a very sharp promontory at the northeastern tip of Hajo-do. Site status unknown. ARLHS SKR-008; Admiralty M4246; NGA 17556.
Oebyongdo
1907. Active; focal plane 81 m (266 ft); white flash every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Modern 2-story crew quarters building. Entire station painted white. KAAN has a photo (fourth lighthouse pictured), but Google has only a distant satellite view of the location. Oebyongdo is an island about 16 km (10 mi) west of the southwestern end of Jindo. Located on the highest point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS SKR-019; Admiralty M4247.7; NGA 17554.
Turyangdo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) round concrete tower, painted black with one red horizontal band. No photo available. Located on a shoal about 5 km (3 mi) west of Oebyongdo. Accessible only by boat. Admiralty M4247.6; NGA 17551.8.
* Kasado (Gasado)
1915. Active; focal plane 70 m (230 ft); white flash every 15 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. In recent years a 2-story structure has been attached to the historic tower. Fog horn (one blast every 45 s). A photo is at right, but Google has only a very distant satellite view of the area. This station is being developed as a tourist attraction. Kasado is an island about 5 km (3 mi) long and about 6 km (3.5 mi) off the west coast of Jindo. Located on a promontory at the southeastern tip of the island. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS SKR-042; Admiralty M4232; NGA 17584.
Kalduri
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted black with one red horizontal band. No photo available, but Google has a distant satellite view. Located on an isolated rock about 7 km (4.5 mi) east northeast of Kasado. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. NGA 17583.
Kudo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); white flash every 4 s. 7.5 m (25 ft) round brick tower, probably with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white. No photo available. Located on a small island about 4 km (2.5 mi) west of the northwestern tip of Jindo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4236; NGA 17596.
Gasedo Light
Kasado Light; Port of Mokpo photo

Far Southwestern Islands Lighthouses
Pyongpungdo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); white flash every 6 s. 9 m (30 ft) round concrete tower, painted white. No photo available; Google has a very distant satellite view. Pyongpungdo is an island about 25 km (15 mi) south southwest of Jindo. Located at the southern tip of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4250; NGA 17580.
Chukdo (Jukdo, Chuk-to)
1907. Active; focal plane 85 m (279 ft); white flash every 10 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white. Fog horn (one blast every 35 s). A photo is at the top of this page, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Located on a small island near the extreme southwestern corner of Korean territory, about 25 km (15 mi) southwest of Jindo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4248; NGA 17576.
Pyonso
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) tower, painted black with one red horizontal band. No photo available. Located on a rock about 4 km (2.5 mi) southwest of Chukdo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. NGA 17577.
Sohuksando
1907. Active; focal plane 84 m (276 ft); white flash every 15 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white. Fog horn (one blast every 60 s). KAAN's photo is at right, but the island is only a blur in Google's satellite view. This is perhaps Korea's most remote lighthouse. Located at the northwestern point of an island about 100 km (60 mi) west southwest of Jindo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4227; NGA 17708.
Hongdo
1931. Active; focal plane 89 m (292 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. 14 m (46 ft) two-stage square concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white. 1-story concrete keeper's house and other light station buildings. A photo is at the top of this page, but the island is only a blur in Google's satellite view. Hongdo is a small island about 100 km (60 mi) west of Mokpo. Located at the northern tip of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4222; NGA 17696.
Taehuksando North Breakwater (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. Kim Bong-Sun has a photo, but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. NGA lists a skeletal tower at this location. Taehuksando is an island about 16 km (10 mi) long and about 130 km (80 mi) east of Mokpo. Located at the end of the detached north breakwater of Taehuksando harbor, at the north end of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4223.4; NGA 17683.

Sohuksando Light
Korean Association of Aids to Navigation photo
Taehuksando South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post light rising from a 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Kim Bong-Sun has a photo, but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Taehuksando harbor. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4223.3; NGA 17682.
Chilbaldo
1905. Active; focal plane 105 m (345 ft); white flash every 15 s. 8.5 m (29 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white. Several additional station buildings. No photo available, and Google has only a very distant satellite view of the island. Located on a small island about 50 km (30 mi) due west of Mokpo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4212; NGA 17672.
Uido
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 83 m (272 ft); white flash every 5 s. 8 m (26 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, and Google has only a very distant satellite view of the location. Located at the west end of an island northwest of Jindo. Site status unknown. NGA 17646.
Kyongchido
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); white flash every 4 s. 9 m (30 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the east end of an island about 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Uido. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4229; NGA 17648.
Chongdar-Am
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 18 m (59 ft) square skeletal tower mounted on a square concrete pier. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a reef about 3 km (1.8 mi) east of Kyongchido. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4229.1; NGA 17649.

Sinan Area Lighthouses
Sangsuchsido
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the northwest end of an island about 3 km (5 mi) southeast of Sinan. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4213; NGA 17652.
Sangsachido
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); nine quick white flashes every 13 s. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower, painted yellow with a black horizontal band. No photo available, but Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a shoal about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) east of the Sangsuchsido light. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NGA 17661.
Chinso Mal
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a very fuzzy satellite view. Located on a promontory at the western extremity of Sinan County. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4211.5; NGA 17666.

Mokpo Area Lighthouses
Chido
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. The tower is barely visible in Kim Bong-Sun's very distant view of the island, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Located atop a small island about 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Mokpo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4235; NGA 17614.
Sihado
1907. Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); white flash every 12 s. 7.5 m (25 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white. Fog horn (one blast every 35 s). Several additional station buildings. KAAN has a photo (fourth lighthouse pictured), Kiso also has a photo (almost halfway down the page), and Google has a good satellite view of the station. Located on a small island on the southern approach to Mokpo, about 16 km (10 mi) southwest of the city. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4220; NGA 17616.
Pulmugi-do
Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); white flash every 5 s. 11 m (36 ft) tapered square white concrete skeletal tower with gallery, painted white. Kiso has two photos (about 3/4 the way down the page). This light has the seam design as the Galdu Hang Light (see above). Located on an island about 13 km (8 mi) west of Mokpo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4216.9; NGA 17621.
* Hwaweon Bando (1)
1908. Inactive since 2003. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one end of a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. A distant view is at right, Kiso has a closeup (first lighthouse on the page), and the lighthouse can be seen to the right of the new lighthouse in a Google satellite view. Located at the northern tip of a peninsula marking the south side of the entrance to the Hwaweon Strait leading to Mokpo. Site appears open, tower closed.
* Hwaweon Bando (Mokpo Waterway)
2003 (station established 1908). Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white flash every 5 s. 36 m (118 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery attached to a 2-story administration building with sweeping buttresses. Lighthouse painted white, lantern roof red. A distant view is at right, a 2008 photo is available, Joni Lahey has another distant view, Kiso has a photo showing both lighthouses (first photo on the right), and Google has a good satellite view. Located at the extreme tip of the peninsula, near the historic lighthouse. Site appears open, tower status unknown. Admiralty M4217; NGA 17624.
Hwaweon Bando East
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white flash every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story concrete keeper's house. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view of the station. Located on a promontory at the southeastern entrance to the Hwaweon Strait, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southeast of the Hwaweon bando lighthouses. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4217.7; NGA 17625.
Hwaweon bando Lights
Hwaweon Bando Lights
Port of Mokpo photo
Changjwado
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white flash every 5 s. 14 m (46 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted white. A closeup photo and a more distant view are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the southern tip of an island off the entrance to Mokpo harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. NGA 17627.
Monghado
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); white flash every 4 s. 15 m (49 ft) tower mounted on a concrete base. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the highest point of an island in Mokpo harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4218; NGA 17628.
Hwangdo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white flash every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the western end of a small island marking the northern approach to Mokpo, about 30 km (19 mi) northwest of the city. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M4217.5; NGA 17642.

Northern Jeollanam Lighthouses
* Anma Hang South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower, painted red. A distant photo is available, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Anma-do is a small island about 25 km (15 mi) off the coast of northern Jeollanam. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Anma harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. NGA 17721.
* Anma Hang North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); green flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower, painted white. A distant photo is available, and Google has a very distant satellite view. NGA lists this tower erroneously as being red. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Anma harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. NGA 17722.
* Kyema Hang Groin (South Breakwater)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 4 s. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted red. A distant photo is available, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Kyema, a small port at the northern end of Jeollanam. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. NGA 17718.
* Kyema Hang West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 5 s. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a very distant satellite view. Located at the end of the west (main) breakwater of Kyema. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. NGA 17718.1.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Jeollabuk (Gunsan Area) | East: Goheung Area | South: Jeju

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Posted January 9, 2008. Lighthouses: 46. Checked and revised July 2, 2011. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.