Gopo Village

Gopo Village is the northernmost village in Gyeongsang Province and the southernmost village on the east coast of Gangwon Province. This small neighborhood of only about 20 households spans two provinces. In other words, with a small stream flowing through the center of the village as the boundary, the north is Wolcheon 2-ri, Wondeok-eup, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do, and the south is Nagok 6-ri, Buk-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. However, the residents share a sense of belonging and community as fellow villagers. For example, residents of Nagok 6-ri freely use the only port in Wolcheon 2-ri without hesitation, and most of the farmland of those living in Wolcheon 2-ri is concentrated in Nagok 6-ri. Not only do they share the same dialect and customs, but they also participate together in communal activities such as holding village feasts or harvesting seaweed, without regard to provincial boundaries. This place is originally famous as a production area for stone seaweed (stone-born miyeok). Gopo miyeok was a premium product even presented to the king. The sea here is shallow and the water is clear, allowing sunlight to penetrate deep into the water. In addition, the current is the fastest on the east coast, providing ideal natural conditions for high-quality stone seaweed to grow.