Woongdo Island, nestled in Daesan-myeon, Seosan City, South Chungcheong Province, is renowned for its mystical sea road. Designated as one of the "Islands to Visit During Vacation Season" by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Korea Tourism Organization (in 2016 and 2017), and further recognized as one of the Korea Tourism Organization's "100 Untact Tourist Destinations" in 2020, Woongdo undeniably possesses captivating charm. However, this idyllic island harbors an unforeseen danger: frequent vehicle submersion accidents caused by the submerged bridge that disappears with the rising tide.
On April 1st, guided by Woongdo Village Chief Kim Bong-gon, a visit to the island revealed this stark reality. Despite the expectation that the sea road would open by 8:30 AM, the path to the island remained submerged, with only the bridge railings visible above the water. A subsequent call to Chief Kim elicited a request for a 30-minute wait. Moments later, as if by magic, the sea parted, revealing the 200-meter-long submerged bridge connecting Woongdo to the mainland. Woongdo is unique in that it can only be accessed via this bridge, which emerges twice daily around the low tide.
At the island's community center, Chief Kim, while appearing accustomed to island life, expressed deep concern over vehicle submersion accidents caused by visitors' failure to check the tide times. He shared photos of a recent incident, lamenting, "Car submersion accidents happen every so often. Sometimes, people park on the tidal flats and get caught unaware while enjoying themselves." As Chief Kim pointed out, the absence of tide information signs or vehicle barriers at the submerged bridge entrance necessitates extreme caution for visitors. Particularly during "spring tides," when the tidal range is greatest, the water level can rise rapidly.
Nevertheless, hope is on the horizon for Woongdo. A permanent bridge is slated for completion in 2025, promising safer and more convenient access to the island for both residents and visitors.
While the mystical sea road is Woongdo's primary claim to fame, the island's pristine tidal flats offer another compelling attraction: mudflat 체험 (mudflat experience). Although currently suspended due to COVID-19, exploring the island itself offers ample enjoyment. Covering a modest area of 1.68 square kilometers with a 5-kilometer coastline, Woongdo can be comfortably toured in half a day. Forest paths winding through low hills and a recently constructed coastal deck road enhance the island's natural beauty. Currently, around 120 residents inhabit the island, with guesthouses and pensions available, but no supermarkets or restaurants.
A quaint village church, country houses adorned with blooming daffodils, and red camellias lining the roads create a charming atmosphere unique to Woongdo. Chief Kim enthusiastically recommended the 400-year-old pine tree, which proved to be a truly awe-inspiring sight. Resembling a Bodhi tree, dozens of branches sprouted from a single root, giving it the appearance of a living tree spirit. Surprisingly, this remarkable tree has yet to be designated as a protected natural monument.
The primary source of income for Woongdo residents is the harvesting of seafood from the tidal flats, including clams, oysters, and octopuses. However, declining marine environmental conditions have led to reduced catches, causing significant worry among the islanders. While they have overcome the pain of the past Taean oil spill, the Garorim Bay ecosystem is now threatened by dust and household wastewater discharged from nearby thermal power plants and industrial complexes. Chief Kim lamented, "The catches of oysters and clams have decreased compared to the past, and the sea color has also become murky."
Woongdo Island, with its enigmatic sea road and breathtaking nature, holds both peril and promise. The upcoming construction of the permanent bridge will undoubtedly provide a better foundation for the lives of the islanders and offer safer, more convenient travel for visitors. However, preserving the beauty of Woongdo for generations to come requires continuous attention and dedicated efforts towards the conservation of the Garorim Bay ecosystem.
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