Yeongwol County

Yeongwol County () is a county in the South Korean state of Gangwon. Its population is about 36,000 as of 2026.

In South Korea, it is known as the place where King Danjong, the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty, was exiled when he was forced to abdicate by his uncle, who became King Sejo. It is also where Danjong was buried after he was murdered in 1457, following the attempts by six martyred ministers to restore him to power, after he was perceived to be a continuing threat to the rule of his uncle. It is also where the Joseon Dynasty poet Kim Sat-gat was buried.

History

Originally a part of Jinhan, Yeongwol (then called Baekwol) became a part of Baekje in the 4th century. After Goguryeo invaded Baekje, it became a part of Goguryeo and was called Naesaeng-hyeon (). After Silla unified the three kingdoms, it was renamed Naeseong-gun ().

It later became a part of Goryeo and was renamed Yeongwol. In 1457, King Danjong was exiled to Yeongwol.

Industry

The main agricultural products are rice, barley, corn and potatoes.

Anthracite is mined in Yeongwol-eup and Buk-myeon. Silicate mineral and pagodite are mined in Jucheon-myeon. Mica is mined in Gimsatgat-myeon. Sangdong-eup has the world's largest store of tungsten which accounted for more than half of South Korea's exports in the 1960s. Mining used to flourish because there were many underground resources buried in the county due to its geological structure. However, the number of mines decreased significantly due to the coal rationalization policy and import of Chinese resources.

Education

Yeongwol Hyanggyo was established in 1398.

As of 2015, there are 19 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 6 high schools and Saekyung University.

Administrative divisions

In 2009, Hadong-myeon was renamed to Gimsatgat-myeon and Seo-myeon was renamed to Hanbando-myeon. In 2016, Suju-myeon was renamed to Mureungdowon-myeon.

Geology

Most of Yeongwol is included in the Okcheon Belt. and which have limestone and anthracite are distributed in the region.

Notable sites

Seondol: Shaped like a cliff split with a large knife, it is designated as a scenic site.
Gossigul: Place where the Go family hid during the Imjin War, it is designated as a natural monument. It has well-developed stalactite and stalagmite and is inhabited by organisms that only live in caves.
Potholes on Yoseonam in Mureung-ri: Designated as a natural monument, it has great academic value because it shows fluvial erosion.

Climate

Yeongwol has a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate (KÃÂ¶ppen: Dwa) with cold, dry winters and hot, rainy summers.

Culture

Heritage

Jangneung: Tomb of Danjong, it is designated as a historic site. In 2009, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty.
Cheongnyeongpo: Place where King Danjong was banished to, it is designated as a scenic site.
Miniature Shape of the Korean Peninsula: Located at the end of the Pyeongchang River, it resembles the Korean Peninsula.

Museums

There are 22 museums and 12 art museums such as Youngwol Y Park.

Food

Chikguksu (East Asian arrowroot noodles) is well known.

Festival

Danjong Culture Festival: Festival honoring Danjong and loyalists, it has been held annually since 1967.
DongGang International Photo Festival: Held every year, it features events such as the DongGang Photography Award Exhibition, International Open Call, Photojournalists Exhibition and Gangwon Province Photographers Exhibition.