The Northernmost East Coast Journey of Beautiful Seas and Lakes

Goseong is home to a lagoon called Hwajinpo Lake, an area that was once part of the sea but became a lake through natural processes. Along with Hwajinpo Lake, the scenery extends to Hwajinpo Beach, a filming location for the drama 'Winter Sonata.' Old villas built around the time of the Korean War still remain intact. Heading north, the road is blocked by the Unification Observatory, beyond which travel is not possible, and visitors can also experience security-themed sites such as the DMZ Museum and the Unification Observatory.

Along the way

1. 1
   Geojin Port (Haemaji Park)

   거진항(해맞이공원)

   Geojin Port is a Category 2 port designated by the Ministry of Construction, located north of the 38th parallel (38°26' N). Once regarded as a remote fishing village due to its location near the front line, the area transformed after Geojin-myeon was elevated to Geojin-eup in 1973, when modern high-rise buildings went up around the harbor, giving it the character of a commercial town. It continues to grow as a forward fishing base for the northern East Sea region.MoreLess

   

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2. 2
   Hwajinpo Beach

   화진포해변

   Hwajinpo Beach beautifully combines a natural lagoon with dense pine forest. As an official swimming beach, it is the northernmost one on the East Coast. The sandy shore stretches 1.7km, with an average depth of about 1-1.5m. Surrounded by lush pine forest, a clear lake, and striking rock formations, the natural scenery here is stunning.MoreLess

   

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3. 3
   Hwajinpo Castle (Kim Il-sung's Villa)

   화진포의 성

   It is not known exactly when Hwajinpo Castle (Kim Il-sung's Villa) was built. However, from 1948 to 1950, Kim Il-sung visited Hwajinpo as a summer retreat with his family, including his wife Kim Jong-suk, son Kim Jong-il, and daughter Kim Kyong-hui.MoreLess

   

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4. 4

   Lunch (Jebiho Restaurant, Geojin Port)

   점심식사(거진항 제비호식당)

   Located at the northernmost point of Goseong, Jebiho Restaurant is known for its saengtae-jjigae (fresh pollock stew), one of the '8 Delicacies of Goseong.' Hwajinpo Beach is nearby, and the Unification Observatory is also close by, making it a place where families can enjoy a meal along with a bit of security-themed tourism for children. * Inquiries/Information: 033-682-1970MoreLess

   

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5. 5
   Lee Ki-bung and Syngman Rhee Villas

   이기붕, 이승만 별장

   In Hwajinpo, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, the villas of three former political figures stand side by side: the Kim Il-sung Villa, the Syngman Rhee Villa, and the Lee Ki-bung Villa. The Syngman Rhee Villa is where Syngman Rhee, the first President of the Republic of Korea, once stayed. It was newly built in 1954, fell into ruin in 1061, and was restored as an exhibition hall in 1999. Though simple and modest, the villa offers a view from inside toward the dense pine forest and Hwajinpo's two lakes blending together outside, and for this reason it is regarded as having the finest scenery among the three Hwajinpo villas.MoreLess

   

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6. 6
   DMZ Museum

   DMZ박물관

   The DMZ Museum, built to embody the hopes of the entire nation for peace and stability between South and North Korea, is located within the Civilian Control Line near the Military Demarcation Line, at the northernmost point of the East Coast. Through the DMZ - the symbol of the world's only remaining divided nation - the museum recreates, through exhibits and video, the situation before and after the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, the historical significance of the ceasefire line created by the Armistice Agreement, the pain of families separated as a result, the military clashes that continue to this day, and the ecological environment that has remained untouched and preserved in its natural state for more than 60 years.MoreLess

   

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7. 7

   Unification Observatory

   통일전망대

   Standing at the Unification Observatory, on a hill 70m above sea level where the ceasefire line meets the Southern Limit Line, you can see Guseonbong Peak and Haegeumgang of Mt. Geumgangsan close at hand, and on clear days, peaks such as Ongnyeobong, Chaehabong, and Ilchulbong. Below, the frontline guard posts facing each other across the ceasefire line's barbed-wire fence convey the tension between South and North Korea. Also visible below is the Donghae Line inter-Korean road, opened in December 2004, along which the Mt. Geumgangsan overland tour route once operated.MoreLess

   

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