Myeongnyang Strait
The Myeongnyang Strait, just off the southwest corner of South Korea, separates Jindo Island from the mainland. It also separates the administrative district of Haenam County from Jindo County. At its narrowest point, it is about across.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. Tidal forces make current of the Myeongnyang Strait reverse direction roughly every three hours.
Today, the strait is spanned by the Jindo bridge, South Korea's longest suspension bridge. 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 tidal forces occupying and traversing the channel, which were especially loud during springtime.
