Abai village, Tourist village in Cheongho-dong, Sokcho, South Korea
Abai Village is a small coastal neighborhood in the Cheongho-dong district of Sokcho, on South Korea's east coast. It sits on a narrow strip of land between the sea and Cheongcho Lagoon, separated from the rest of the city by water.
The village formed after the Korean War, when thousands of refugees from northern coastal areas, mainly Hamgyong Province, landed in Sokcho and settled on this strip of land. Unable to return home, they built simple shelters and formed a tight community that has kept many of its original customs.
The name "Abai" comes from a term used by North Korean refugees who settled here after the Korean War, bringing their food traditions with them. The most visible trace of this heritage is Abai Sundae, a stuffed sausage dish still served in the small food stalls along the waterfront.
The village is reached from central Sokcho by a small cable ferry that carries passengers across the lagoon on foot. The lanes inside are narrow and uneven, so solid footwear and enough time for a slow walk are worth planning for.
To get to the village, visitors use a small hand-pulled cable ferry known as a gaetbae, one of the last of its kind still in regular use in Korea. The crossing takes only a minute or two, but it immediately sets the village apart from anything else nearby.
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