Haemieupseong Fortress in Seosan Selected for '2025~2026 Korea Tourism Top 100'

Best-Preserved Fortress Among Joseon-Era Eupseong Fortresses

A panoramic view of Haemieupseong located in Haemi-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungnam. /Seosan City

Seosan City in Chungnam Province announced on the 21st that Seosan Haemieupseong Fortress has been selected as one of the "Top 100 Korean Tourist Attractions," an initiative organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization.

The "Top 100 Korean Tourist Attractions" is a project that selects 100 representative tourist destinations in Korea every two years to promote domestic tourism. Seosan Haemieupseong Fortress was selected for the 2025-2026 list, following its inclusion in the 2023-2024 selection.

Seosan Haemieupseong Fortress, built during the early Joseon Dynasty to protect the people from Japanese pirates, is the best-preserved flatland fortress among those from the Joseon era.

To make it difficult for enemies to approach, thorny trifoliate orange trees were planted around the fortress, earning it the nickname "Tangerine Fortress." Admiral Yi Sunshin also served here as a military officer for 10 months in the 12th year of King Seonjo's reign (1579).

Inside, the fortress features the Dongheon, where local government affairs were conducted; the Gaeksa, which served as accommodation for officials and envoys; Cheongheojeong Pavilion, which offers a view of Haemieupseong Fortress; traditional folk houses; and a prison, among other structures.

Today, Seosan Haemieupseong Fortress is loved by visitors as a healing and relaxation space, with expansive natural lawns and pine forest trails where children can play freely.

The city operates a variety of programs at Seosan Haemieupseong Fortress, where the historical and cultural traditions of the Korean people are alive, including weekly traditional cultural performances, direct trade markets, traditional archery, kite flying, and more.

In particular, every October, Seosan City holds the "Seosan Haemieupseong Festival," its representative festival, offering a venue where people of all ages can enjoy a blend of history, culture, and modernity.

Seosan Mayor Lee Wanseop said, "It is very meaningful that Seosan Haemieupseong Fortress has been selected as one of Korea's top tourist attractions," adding, "As Seosan City strives to become an international tourism city, we will do our utmost to revitalize the local economy through various resources, including Haemieupseong Fortress."

Meanwhile, the 21st Seosan Haemieupseong Festival, held last October, featured a variety of hands-on experiences, local business revitalization programs, and diverse cultural performances, attracting 270,000 visitors who enjoyed a memorable time.