Published by the Gwangju International Center since 2001
Mokpo is such a great little city. Its geography alone is impressive, with rocky Yudal-san bookending the city’s peninsular core and shielding residents from the yearly barrage of typhoons. The city also sits at the mouth of the massive Yeongsan River, which originates in Damyang-gun, passes through Gwangju and Naju, and disgorges on either side of Goha-do.
In the back of each were deep drill holes that likely would have been stuffed with dynamite and blasted away had WWII not ended. Apparently, fearing an American invasion, the Japanese forced local Koreans to make tunnels along coastal areas like Mokpo that could provide shelter, munitions storage, and surprise hideouts in case of enemy attack.
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Mokpo is “My Korea”, says GIC volunteer Jung Hoon.
