A picturesque, blue sea, a wonderful natural landscape, but brings back memories of war
It’s Gadeokdo Island!

Gadeokdo Island is located where the Nakdonggang River runs into the South Sea of Korea. It is known for its beautiful sunset and wonderful scenery along with the magnificent Geogadaegyo Bridge.
People say that you can see as much as you know. Today, you will discover the hidden tragic story of Gadeokdo Island with the background of beautiful nature.

The first attraction of the island is the Jeonggeo Mural Village. It was originally called “Datgeori Stree,” which means the place where the boats dropped their anchor(dat), and later became Jeonggeo Village using the Chinese character. The village’s narrow alleys, which are all connected, are decorated with distinctive and beautiful mural paintings. You can take time here to discover the real charm of the village.

The next destination is Oeyangpo Port. In the early 1900s, during the Russo–Japanese War, the Japanese army headquarters was established in Gadeokdo Island, and the villagers suddenly had to lose their livelihood. The Japanese army built here the military camp and the fortification to achieve their dream of advancing into the continent. At present, the artillery launch pad, barracks, magazine, and bullet marks here and there remain at the site.

The Gadeokdo Lighthouse is located in the southernmost area of Gadeokdo Island, covering from Oeyangpo Port to the end of the southern coast. This lighthouse was built during the Korean Empire period (1897–1910). It provides the experience program along with the lighthouse centennial memorial hall. The present-day octagonal lighthouse, which was rebuilt in 2002, is still restricted to visitors as a protection zone of military installations. Only with the authorization of the Navy Headquarters, the entry to the lighthouse will be allowed.

When you arrive at Saebaji Village in Daehang-dong, you'll see an artificial cave, which is another trace of the Japanese occupation. It was built as a fort to fight against the Allied Forces by the Japanese Army, which invaded Gadeokdo Island during the Pacific War. This cave was built by exploiting the labor of Korean people mobilized from all over the country and violating their human rights. While the war situation turned bad, the Japanese Army established its defense base in Busan and neighboring coastal areas, and some 10 caves still remain in the Daehang Village. The cave is equipped with the lighting system inside, and visitors can walk to the Mongdong Beach, on the opposite side of the cave.

Gadeokdo Island is not only a beautiful island blessed with nature but also a place that is embedded with the painful history of the past.