Yeongdong County
Overview
Yeongdong County is a county located in the southeastern part of Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, with an area of 845.45 km² and a population of approximately 47,000 (as of 2025). It borders Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do to the east, Boeun-gun and Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do to the west, Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do to the south, and Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do to the north. Yeongdong County is a typical inland mountainous region, with branches of the Sobaek Mountains extending across it, making about 70% of its total area mountainous. Major rivers include the Chogangcheon and Bocheongcheon, which are upstream of the Geumgang River, and fertile plains have developed along these river basins, supporting active agriculture. Yeongdong County is especially famous for fruit cultivation such as grapes, persimmons, and peaches, and is called the 'Fruit Capital of South Korea.' It is also known as the hometown of Nangye Park Yeon (蘭溪 朴堧), a civil official and music theorist of the early Joseon period, and is recognized as a sacred place for Korean traditional music (gugak).
Main Content
Geography and Climate
Yeongdong County exhibits a topography of high east and low west (東高西低), with high mountains such as Minjujisan (1,242m) and Gakhosan (1,177m) rising in the east. The climate is influenced by a continental climate, with cold winters and relatively cool summers, and an average annual temperature of around 11–12°C. In particular, Yeongdong County has a large diurnal temperature range and abundant rainfall, providing optimal conditions for fruit cultivation. Due to these climatic characteristics, the grapes and persimmons produced in Yeongdong County have high sugar content and excellent quality.
History
The Yeongdong region was part of Mahan during the Samhan period and was a border area between Silla and Baekje during the Three Kingdoms period. During the Unified Silla period, it belonged to Sangju (尙州), and during the Goryeo period, Yeongdong-hyeon (永同縣) was established. In the Joseon period, it was organized as Yeongdong-hyeon, Chungcheong-do, and in 1895, with the implementation of the 23-bu system, it became Yeongdong-gun, Gongju-bu. The current Yeongdong County was confirmed through the administrative district consolidation in 1914. During the Korean War, it played an important role as a rear area of the Nakdong River defense line, and it has now established itself as a representative agricultural county in Chungcheongbuk-do.
Administrative Divisions
Yeongdong County consists of 1 eup (Yeongdong-eup) and 10 myeon (Yongsan-myeon, Hwanggan-myeon, Chupungnyeong-myeon, Maegok-myeon, Sangchon-myeon, Yanggang-myeon, Yonghwa-myeon, Haksan-myeon, Yangsan-myeon, and Simcheon-myeon). The county office is located in Yeongdong-eup, and the main transportation axes, the Gyeongbu Line railway and the Gyeongbu Expressway, pass through the county, providing convenient transportation.
Economy and Industry
The economy of Yeongdong County heavily relies on agriculture, especially fruit cultivation. Major agricultural products include grapes, persimmons, peaches, and apples, among which Yeongdong grapes are nationally famous. Yeongdong County is one of the largest grape-producing regions in the country, and the 'Yeongdong Grape Festival' is held every autumn. Additionally, the wine-making industry is developed in Yeongdong County, with exports under the brand 'Yeongdong Wine.' Other activities include cultivation of shiitake mushrooms, ginseng, and Hanwoo cattle breeding, and recently, the 6th industry linked to rural experience tourism has been revitalized. In terms of industry, small-scale agricultural industrial complexes have been established in the Yeongdong-eup and Hwanggan-myeon areas, but the overall proportion is low.
Culture and Tourism
Yeongdong County hosts the 'Nangye Gugak Festival' annually in honor of Nangye Park Yeon, a master of Korean traditional music, continuing the legacy of traditional music. Major cultural properties include Nangyesa (蘭溪祠), Yeongdong Hyanggyo, and Yangsan Palgyeong. Natural tourism resources include Minjujisan, Gakhosan, and Cheontaesan, with Cheontaesan being particularly popular among hikers. Additionally, Yeongdong County has created a 'Wine Cave' as a tourist attraction for wine tasting and sales. Recently, ecological trails such as the 'Yeongdong Rainbow Healing Road' have been established to attract family tourists.
Transportation
Yeongdong County is a transportation hub, with the Gyeongbu Expressway crossing the county from east to west, with Yeongdong IC and Hwanggan IC. Additionally, the Gyeongbu Line railway passes through, with Yeongdong Station, Hwanggan Station, and Chupungnyeong Station, allowing access to KTX and regular trains. National highways No. 4 and No. 19 pass through, and local roads connect to nearby cities, providing good accessibility.
Recent Trends
As of 2024–2025, Yeongdong County faces issues of population decline and aging, and is implementing various policies for returning to farming and rural areas to address these problems. In particular, it aims to modernize agriculture through fostering young farmers and introducing smart farms. Additionally, it is strengthening participation in overseas exhibitions and export support for the global branding of 'Yeongdong Wine.' In the tourism sector, with the opening of the second phase of the 'Yeongdong Rainbow Healing Road,' it is focusing on attracting MZ generation tourists by expanding digital marketing of local festivals. In 2025, the 'Nangye Gugak Festival' will mark its 50th anniversary with large-scale commemorative events planned, aiming to popularize Korean traditional music and revitalize the local economy. Furthermore, as part of its carbon neutrality policy, Yeongdong County is promoting the expansion of solar power facilities and the transition to eco-friendly agriculture.
Related Topics
- [[Chungcheongbuk-do]]
- [[Nangye Park Yeon]]
- [[Wine]]
- [[Gyeongbu Expressway]]
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