Outline

This gun is located in the northeast of Gangwon-do. It approaches to the Donghae ocean to the east, Inje-gun and Hoiyang-gun to the west, Sokcho-si to the south, and Tongcheon-gun to the north. The shape of the gun is a long rectangle from north to south. After independence in 1945 this gun belonged to the North Korean government. However, some parts of the gun were recovered during the Korean War and 4 Myeon, Ganseong, Geojin, Hyeonnae, and Sudong, were organized under Goseong-gun by the temporary reclaimed area administration law in Oct. 1954.

It is between 128° 3' ~ 128° 35' degree East Longitude, 38° 11' ~ 38° 36' North Latitude, 664.02km² (square kilometers) in area, and 37,319 people ('1999) in population. It consists of 2 Eup 3 Myeon and the seat of a county office is in Ganseong-eup Ha-ri.

Natural Environment

Geographical features of the gun are that over 1,000m the Taebaeksan from the north to the south including Hyangro peak and Seolaksan, Jinbu ridge that is a important point from Ganseong to Inje, and the east becomes lower down to the sea level. In the north, Nam and Singyegang rise from Geumgangsan and join in the west of Goseong-eup. Finally, it flows down to the Donghae Ocean. In the south, Nam and Bukgang rise around Jinbu ridge and flow down to the Donghae Ocean through separately north and south of Ganseong-eup.

Comparatively wide alluvial plains are developed along the downstream rivers. Sea cliff, sand beach, and sand dune appear along the seacoast and lagoon is created by closed entrance of bay due to development of sand dune. Most in the gun are mountainous areas with 1,500 types of alpine plants and the mammals in alpine regions such as bears, wild boars, and roes. Moreover, there are migratory birds such as ducks, swallows, cuckoos, and bush warbler. This gun is relatively warmer than western parts at the same latitude In winter because northwest monsoon causes regional warm wind by the Taebaeksan. Fall and winter precipitation are somewhat higher than other regions due to geographical influences.

Travel Guide

Goseong-gun has famous beaches such as Songjiho, Sampo, Baekdo and Chengganjeong and Cheonghakjeong that is one of eight most beautiful scenic spots in the east coast. They, especially, attract summer visitors because this gun is close to both Seolaksan and beaches. The Korean Unification Observatory with a number of tourists visiting each year is located in Hyeonnae-myeon Myeongpa-ri that is a restricted area to unauthorized people. Jinbu ridge has 'the Alps Ski Resort' having natural advantages such as cliffs of Masanbong at Ganseong-eup Heul-ri and rich in snowfalls.

As skiing has been popular as winter sport since 1980s, the resort has improved accommodations such as Hotels and mountain villas and paved Jinbu ridge roads. Thus, this resort has been highlighted.