Sit where the dictator once sat

Hidden Gems in KOREA episode#02

Sit where the dictator once sat
It is close to DMZ to the northeast

Nestled along the eastern coast of Korea lies the serene beauty of HwaJinpo Beach, just about an hour's drive north from the mighty Seoraksan Mountain, a popular destination for travelers visiting Korea. Here, the beach stretches out in a flawless expanse of sand, created over millennia from crushed seashells and rocks, producing a rare kind of sand that sings underfoot and remains free of ants.

The beach spans 1.7 kilometers in length and about 70 meters in width, with a gentle depth ranging from 1 to 1.5 meters, its clear waters lapping against the shore. As you tread softly, the sand yields a sound underfoot, and the sea's embrace is as gentle and inviting as the forested mountains that cradle it like ancient sentinels. The towering rocks rise majestically, guarding this secluded haven where visitors can pause, feel the breath of history whisper, and witness the interplay of nature and time, unfurling the stories and memories locked away within its vistas.

In the summer, the East Sea's shores swell with visitors, yet this beach remains a haven of clarity and tranquility. Nearby, you may venture to the DMZ where a lookout post, governed by the South Korean military, offers a glimpse into the enigmatic North, with the distant Mount Geumgang standing watch. Should your palate crave the ocean's bounty, the northernmost harbors along the eastern coast are brimming with fresh catches from the sea.

Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Rocketman. They are all 3 generation evilsđź‘ż
The kid under ⬇️is Kim Jong-il sitting on the HwaJinpo cottage when he was six years old

HwaJinpo's natural allure captivated Korea’s first president and vice president, each establishing a retreat here, while before them, during the Japanese colonial period, a foreign missionary had built a cottage on the hill. As Korea was divided along the 38th parallel post-1945, this house north of the line found a new tenant: North Korea’s first dictator, Kim Il-sung. Until the Korean War broke out in June 1950, it served as a secretive retreat for Kim, his son Kim Jong-il, their families, and high-ranking military officials.

View from the cottage

Consider taking a moment at Hwajinpo Beach. Alongside its calm and clear waters, discover a piece of Korea's history. It's a small part of a larger story, and it asks you to sit, breathe, and take it all in.✔️