In the past, I introduced Korea's representative rivers, the 'Han River' and the 'Nakdong River', but I have not yet introduced you to the 'Geumgang', a river that belongs to the four major rivers of Korea. Did you know that 'Geumgang' is not as famous as 'Hangang' or 'Nakdonggang', but it is the 3rd largest river in Korea?
'Geumgang', like other rivers in Korea, occupies a very important position, and it can be said that it has a significant impact on Korea's natural environment. In addition, 'Geumgang' has many interesting stories in its history. If you want to understand Korea's nature well, I think you can't leave out 'Geumgang', so I would like to introduce you to 'Geumgang' this time!
Source: Visiting the Geum River Estuary, the center of the Geum River! : Naver blog (naver.com)
Introduction to Geumgang
The Geumgang River is a river that flows through the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula. Its length is 514km and its basin area is 23,384km². It is known as the deepest and clearest river in Korea. The Geumgang River is the third largest river in Korea after the Han River and the Nakdong River, and is designated as a national river.
The Geumgang River originates from Teunbongsaem in Jangsu-gun, Jeollabuk-do, passes through Muju, Jinan, Geumsan, Yeongdong, Okcheon, Boeun, Cheongju, Daejeon, Sejong, Gongju, Cheongyang, Nonsan, Buyeo, Seocheon, and Iksan to Gunsan Bay ( Region name: Gunsan) into the Yellow Sea.
Geumgang is also called by different names in different regions. For example, it is called Jeokbyeokgang in Geumsan, Baekmagang in Buyeo, and Ungjingang in Gongju.
There are several dams and estuary banks in the Geum River.
Representative examples include Yongdam Dam in Jinan-gun and Daecheong Dam in Daejeon, and there is a bank at the mouth of the Geum River downstream. The Geumgang River is used as the main living, industrial, and agricultural water in the Daejeon and Chungcheong regions.
Origin and history of Geumgang
Geumgang is a name derived from Buddhism. In the Buddhist scriptures (Buddhist books) 『Avatamsaka』, it is written that Haedong has Mt. Geumgang where Bodhisattva (Buddhist god) lives.
Geumgang has played an important role since the Three Kingdoms period.
Baekje moved its capital (meaning the current capital) to Gongju, where water transportation (transportation using the river) through the Geumgang River was convenient and military defense was easy. The Buyeo area, where the capital was moved from Gongju, was also an area where water transport from the Geumgang River could be used. There are also quite a few records of Baekje's exchanges with China and Japan through the Geum River.
In the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo Lee Seong-gye (king name) went to the place indicated by a phoenix (phoenix, one of a kind of bird) flying over the rainbow visible in the sky after 100 days of prayer, and there was a spring there, so it is said to be a representative story. At the end of the Joseon Dynasty, the number of boats that traveled the Geumgang water system (the water system for the Geumgang River) was about 15,000 each year, and regular steamships were operated between Gunsan, Ganggyeong, Gongju, and Bugang.
Source: Goma Train :: Lim Hyuk-hyeon's calm smile (tistory.com)
Geumgang River is a thousand-mile waterway that flows through the center of Gongju City, and boasts a beautiful scenery like silk. Gongsanseong, the royal castle of Baekje, is located along the Geumgang River, and you can take a walk or take the Goma Train (name of the tourist train) to the museum or tomb of King Muryeong.
There are many places where you can learn about the cultural heritage and history of Geumgang.
For example, Magoksa Temple, registered as a World Cultural Heritage, has been around since the Baekje period, and you can appreciate the architectural and formative beauty of Baekje. In addition, the Gongju National Museum has many things to tell about the culture and history of Baekje through various exhibitions and experiences. The Royal Tomb of King Muryeong Exhibition Hall is quite famous in Korea as it reproduces and explains the tomb of King Muryeong, which is permanently inaccessible.
