Myeongnyang Strait
The Myeongnyang Strait (also known as Uldolmok Strait; meaning Screaming Strait), just off the southwest corner of South Korea, separates Jindo Island from the mainland. It also separates the administrative district of Haenam County (on the mainland) from Jindo County. At its narrowest point, it is about 293 metres (961 ft) across. The strait experiences tidal water speeds that exceed 6.5 m/s (21.3 ft/s).[1]
| Myeongnyang Strait | |
 Jindo Bridge across Myeongnyang Strait | |
| Korean name | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 명량해협 |
| Hanja | 鳴梁海峽 |
| Revised Romanization | Myeongnyang Haehyeop |
| McCune–Reischauer | Myŏngnyang Haehyŏp |
History and description
The strait has proved important at several points in Korean history. The seclusion it provided allowed the Sambyeolcho Rebellion to take refuge here in 1271. In 1597, during the Imjin War, the Korean admiral, Yi Sun-sin, achieved a decisive victory in the Battle of Myeongnyang although he was massively outnumbered by the Japanese fleet.[2] Tidal forces mean that the currents of the Myeongnyang Strait reverse direction roughly every three hours.
Today, the strait is spanned by the Jindo (island) bridge, South Korea's longest cable-stayed bridge.[3] There is also a memorial to Yi Sun-sin on the coast.
The Myeongnyang Strait, during the lifetime of Yi Sun-Shin, was also known as 'Uldolmok,' or 'the Roaring Channel,' most likely because of the powerful tides of the channel, which are especially loud during springtime.
References
- Uldolmok Power Plant Completed, retrieved 2010-09-02
- Stein, Stephen K (2017). The Sea in World History : Exploration, Travel, and Trade. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. p. 364. ISBN 9781440835513.
- Jeffreys, Daniel (2007). Diamond Mountains, Shining Seas: A Traveler's Guide to Korea. Seoul: JoongAng Daily. p. 84.