Ulleungdo IslandClaimed by the owner

Ulleungdo is a South Korean island in the Sea of Japan, about 120 kilometers east of the mainland and part of North Gyeongsang Province. It is the ninth-largest island in Korea and sits at the top of a large stratovolcano, with Seonginbong Peak reaching 984 meters at its center. The main town, Dodong, is the port where ferries from the mainland arrive, and it is also the departure point for sightseeing boats that circle the island's coastline.

Geology and Landscape

The island formed through volcanic activity during the Cenozoic period and is made up mainly of trachyandesite rock. A major eruption around 8000 BCE removed its summit and left a caldera. The Nari Basin, in the north, is the island's only flat area and sits on the caldera floor; further volcanic activity within it produced the smaller peak known as Albong, giving the island a rare double volcano structure. Ulleungdo's coastline is mostly steep cliffs, and the island includes 44 smaller islands and rock formations offshore, among them Jukdo and Gwaneumdo, along with named rocks such as Samseonam, Ttanbawi, and Kokkiribawi (Elephant Rock). Chotdaebawi, a 30-meter basalt column near Dodong Harbor, rises straight out of the sea and is included on many coastal boat tours.

Activities and Access

The island's cliffs and rock formations, including the coastal cliffs at Dodong, Yongbawi at Jeodong, and Samseonam, are used as climbing routes. A network of nine restored trail courses, known as the Ulleung Haedam-gil, follows old coastal, mountain, and river paths once used by island residents. Sightseeing boats run roughly three-hour circuits from Dodong Harbor past the island's rock formations and the neighboring islet of Jukdo. Other common activities are hiking and fishing, and the island is known for its squid catch, seen drying outdoors in many spots. Ulleungdo has a resident population of about 10,400, and after tourism, fishing is the main economic activity. An airport has been under construction on the island since 2020, with an opening expected in 2027.