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Seomjin River

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(Redirected from Seomjin) River in South Korea
Seomjin River
섬진강
The river near Hadong
Location
Country South Korea
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationMt. Palgongsan
 • coordinates35°38′34″N 127°26′40″E / 35.64278°N 127.44444°E / 35.64278; 127.44444
Mouth 
 • locationGwangyang Bay
 • coordinates34°56′26″N 127°46′33″E / 34.94056°N 127.77583°E / 34.94056; 127.77583
Length212.3 km (131.9 mi)
Basin size4,896.5 km (1,890.5 sq mi)
Seomjin River
Hangul섬진강
Hanja蟾津江
Revised RomanizationSeomjingang
McCune–ReischauerSŏmjin'gang

The Seomjin River (Korean: 섬진강) is a river in South Korea. It flows through southeastern North Jeolla Province, eastern South Jeolla Province, and western South Gyeongsang Province province. It flows into the Korea Strait. The Seomjin River originates from Palgongsan and flows for 212.3 kilometers before reaching its final destination in Gwangyang, where it enters Gwangyang Bay.

Map of the Seomjin River watershed

The Seomjingang watershed comprises some 4,896.5 km². This area includes both farmland and a great deal of pristine mountain country, including the Jirisan area. A wide variety of animals are found along the river, including the European otter, Lutra lutra. Principal tributaries include the Boseong River and Yocheon stream.

The name "Seomjin" literally means "toad ferry." This name is believed to date from Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea in the 1590s. According to legend, a swarm of toads blocked the Japanese army from crossing the Seomjin into northern Jeolla.

In August 2020, consecutive days of heavier-than-usual rainfall caused the river to overflow and a levee on river collapsed, resulting in massive flooding. Thousands of residents who lived in villages and towns along the river were left homeless as entire communities were submerged by the floodwaters.

See also

References

  1. 섬진강 [蟾津江]. Retrieved 2006-10-05.
  2. "(6th LD) 31 dead, 11 missing as heavy rain falls across S. Korea". Yonhap News Agency. 9 August 2020.
  3. "[Editorial] Central, local governments should marshal resources to aid communities ravaged by flooding". The Hankyoreh. 10 August 2020.

External links

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