Wando is an island to the south of Haenam. With a total area of 90.07㎢, it is the eighth largest island in Korea. In 1968, it was connected to the mainland with a bridge. The coast and ocean off Wando belong to the Dadohae Marine National Park. The park is the largest national park in Korea with a total area of 2,266.221㎢ (291.023㎢ of land and 1,975.198㎢ of water) that encompasses the southwestern coast of Korea and its coastal waters.
Wando holds the legacy of General Jang Bogo (unknown – 846) of Silla (57 BC-AD 935). General Jang established Cheonghaejin on Wando that served as a garrison and a trading hub. He facilitated Silla’s maritime trade with China and Japan by defeating pirates and controlling the sea. His work and achievements are well-documented in historical texts of all three countries. Jangdo, a small island off Wando, has traces of a terraced castle, which played an important role in maritime trade at the time. There also remains an old folk song called ‘Song of Cheonghae soldiers.’ Jang Bogo’s legacy still inspires many Koreans to follow his path to venturing the ocean and building a better future.
Today, Wando is connected to nearby islands, such as Gogeumdo, Sinjido, and Joyakdo, with bridges. It serves as a port of call for regular ferry boats from surrounding islands and is open to foreign vessels. Wando is an island of connection that is open and connected to the world.