Travel
Geoje Sujeongsanseong Fortress set to become Korea’s National Historic Site
Haps Magazine Korea
August 20, 2025
Gyeongnam Province (Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
The provincial monument Geoje Sujeongsanseong Fortress, located in Geoje-myeon, has been proposed for designation as a national historic site.
Built on Sujeongsan Mountain 143 meters above sea level, the fortress stretches approximately 450 meters in circumference and is the last mountain fortress known to have been constructed during the late Joseon Dynasty.
It was built in 1873, during the 10th year of King Gojong’s reign, by the magistrate Song Hee-seung and the people of Geoje without central government support, as a defense against foreign invasion.
Archaeological excavations have revealed that the fortress incorporates construction techniques from multiple periods, with walls from the Silla, Goryeo, and Joseon Dynasties.
The well-preserved remains of gates and building foundations provide key insights into the structure and methods of late Joseon fortifications.
Records confirm its name as “Sujeongsanseong” in documents such as Tongjeyeonggyerok and Geojegunupji, while an inscription at the west gate marks its establishment. Its final construction date, confirmed by a monument within the fortress, makes it the most recently built Korean mountain fortress with a verifiable timeline.
The fortress holds exceptional historic value for its rarity, symbolism, and the fact that it represents a locally led defense effort during a time of heightened foreign threats.
The designation process will include a 30-day period for public opinion, followed by deliberation by the Cultural Heritage Committee of the National Heritage Administration. If approved, Geoje Sujeongsanseong will officially join Korea’s list of nationally designated cultural heritage sites.