JIRO Letter Vol.5: Discover Yeongdeok County – Crabs, Legends, and Local Stories

 Hello~~ This is JIRO.

The May 2026 edition of JIRO Letter featuring Yeongdeok County has been released! With this issue, JIRO Letter has already reached its 5th edition.

Thank you always for your continued support and for following JIRO Letter.

In this issue, we explore the story of the famous Yeongdeok snow crab loved by King Taejo Wang Geon, local legends surrounding snow crabs, and stories of local businesses that bring Yeongdeok’s charm to life.

Now, let’s dive right in~~

The following story is recorded in Yangchonjip, written by Gwon Geun:

“When Taejo of Goryeo (Wang Geon) fought against Gyeon Hwon’s forces near Hahoe Village in Andong, he achieved victory with the help of the Yeonghae Park family in Andong. As a gesture of gratitude, Wang Geon later visited Yeongdeok and ate snow crab with them in Chayu Village, where he was deeply impressed by its taste.”

From that point on, Yeongdeok snow crab is said to have become a delicacy offered to the king.

Although this is not a story directly from Yeongdeok, there is also a fascinating legend connected to snow crabs.

In the past, coastal areas along the East Sea, including Yeongdeok and Uljin, frequently suffered invasions by Japanese forces. This legend is connected to that time.

During the war, people of Uljin hid inside Seongnyugul Cave.

One day, as both food and hope were running out, a faint light appeared in the darkness.

Thinking enemy soldiers had arrived, people tightly gripped their weapons.

But fortunately, it was not an enemy. A woman dressed in lotus leaves appeared before them.

She raised the hand of a Buddhist statue inside the cave, and suddenly the Buddha transformed into a giant red snow crab.

Then she said:

“This red snow crab, known as Jahae (Purple Crab), is King Jahae, the guardian of Uljin. Seongnyugul Cave is the sacred place where this great king resides.”

“I am one of the king’s servants, sent to protect this cave.”

From that time on, people no longer saw red snow crabs as just food. Instead, they came to regard them as a symbol of blessings bestowed by the guardian spirit of the sea.

Yeongdeok has been known by several different names throughout history.

During the Three Kingdoms Period, it was called Yasihol (也尸忽). Historical records say that the areas corresponding to present-day Yeongdeok, Ganggu, Namjeong, Dalsan, and Jipum were collectively referred to as Yasihol.

Later, during the Unified Silla period, it became known as Yurin-gun (有隣郡). In the Jeongyu year of King Gyeongdeok’s reign (757 CE), an administrative reform divided the country into nine provinces, and the region was reorganized under the name Yurin-gun.

During the Goryeo Dynasty, the region was called Yeju (禮州). It is said that when Taejo (Wang Geon) first visited the area, he noticed the people’s polite nature and their custom of showing consideration and yielding to one another. Because of this admirable local culture, the area was named Yeju, meaning “the land of courtesy.”

Later, during the Joseon Dynasty, the region eventually became today’s Yeongdeok through Yeonghae-gun (寧海郡).

During the reign of Taejo (Yi Seong-gye), it first served as a Jin, a military stronghold. Under King Taejong, it was promoted to a Dohobu, a larger administrative district with greater importance.

Later, during King Gojong’s reign, it became Yeonghae-gun, and in 1914 it was merged into Yeongdeok, forming the Yeongdeok County known today.

If people say Yeongdeok is only about snow crabs, the locals might feel a little disappointed — because there is so much more to discover.

First, let’s talk about Yeongdeok’s mountains.

Yeongdeok is known for its beautiful natural scenery, especially its mountains. One of the best ways to experience these landscapes is through the Yeongdeok Blue Road walking course.

Among its routes, Blue Road Course 3 – Wind Hill (Hill of Wind) stretches across a total distance of 17.6 km, with a one-way journey taking approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes.

Along the way, visitors can fully enjoy Yeongdeok’s lush forests and refreshing natural scenery.

Every April, peach blossoms bloom in full beauty across Yeongdeok.

Around the hills of Jipum-myeon and the Osipcheon Stream area, peach blossoms reach their peak and paint entire villages in soft shades of pink, creating a truly breathtaking view.

These pink-colored peach blossom villages are perfect for a relaxing drive through the countryside. There is also a Peach Blossom Festival held every other year, so don’t miss the chance to experience it~!

If peach blossoms bloom everywhere, that probably means there are plenty of peaches too, right?? 

Young Plus, a local agricultural company in Yeongdeok, produces canned peaches by peeling and carefully sterilizing peaches grown in the region.

Since no artificial chemical additives are used, they make a perfect treat to enjoy while experiencing the fresh and vibrant feeling of spring.

If you're planning a trip to Yeongdeok, getting help from local residents might be one of the best choices you can make.

After all, the people who know Yeongdeok best are the people who live there. Through a resident-led travel agency, you can discover travel programs planned directly by locals and experience the region from a more personal perspective.

One experience recommended by JIRO is “Blue Road with Companion.” While listening to hidden stories and local insights about Yeongdeok, you can enjoy a journey along the beautiful coastline of Yeongdeok.

Many stories of Yeongdeok can also be found throughout Korean history.

One of them is the story of General Shin Dol-seok, who became the first civilian-born righteous army commander at just 19 years old.

During the late Joseon Dynasty period, he resisted Japanese forces while moving unpredictably across regions including Yeongdeok, Yeonghae, Samcheok, Yangyang, Gangneung, Wonju, Andong, and Yeongyang throughout today’s Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gangwon-do areas.

His movements were so difficult to track that he became known for appearing and disappearing unexpectedly. Today, his birthplace still remains in Yeongdeok.

When talking about the Incheon Landing Operation, it is impossible to leave out the story of the Jangsa Landing Operation, which took place in Yeongdeok.

The Jangsa Landing Operation was carried out to support the success of the Incheon Landing Operation by creating confusion among enemy forces and disrupting North Korean supply routes.

The operation was largely carried out by student volunteer soldiers. Although it played an important role in contributing to the success of the Incheon Landing Operation, it came at a great cost — 139 soldiers lost their lives.

Yeongdeok also has a traditional folk performance called Wolwori Cheongcheong.

Today, it has been designated as a cultural heritage of Gyeongsangbuk-do and continues to preserve the region’s traditional culture.

The performance is said to take place like this:

Under the full moon, a lead singer begins to sing, and people gradually gather around.

As more people join, they hold hands and form a circle, moving together while gently waving their hands and turning around in rhythm.

This tradition also reflects an important social role. It offered women who had married and moved from other regions a chance to become part of a new community, helping them overcome feelings of emotional isolation and build social bonds with others.

Lastly, we’d like to share a travel playlist for Yeongdeok with a little bit of JIRO’s personal taste mixed in 🎵

While walking along Wind Hill

→ The Color of Wind – by Oh Yeon-jun

While driving through the peach blossom villages

→ Bom Bom Bom – by Roy Kim

While enjoying the sea of Yeongdeok

→ Sea Travel – from the Coffee Prince OST

While visiting General Shin Dol-seok’s birthplace and the Jangsa Landing Operation Memorial Hall

→ If Spring Comes – by Ahn Ye-eun