Geomun Do, Archipelago in Jeju Strait, South Korea.
Geomun Do is an archipelago in the Jeju Strait, South Korea, made up of three main islands: Sodo to the west, Sunhodo to the east, and Observatory Island in the center. The islands have rocky shorelines, small fishing villages, and a narrow inner waterway formed between the three landmasses.
In 1885, the British Navy occupied the islands and used them as a strategic naval base until 1887, a period known locally as the Port Hamilton Affair. This brief occupation was part of a wider rivalry between European powers seeking influence over sea routes in East Asia.
Fishing is still at the heart of daily life on these islands, and fresh catch is central to what locals eat and sell. Small harbors filled with boats and drying fish on racks along the shore give a clear picture of how the community lives.
The islands are reached by ferry from the mainland port of Yeosu, and the crossing takes a few hours depending on conditions. Facilities on the islands are basic, so it helps to come prepared with what you need for your stay.
A small British cemetery on the islands holds ten graves, including those of sailors from HMS Albatross who died during the 1885 to 1887 occupation. It is one of the few British military cemeteries found anywhere on the Korean peninsula.
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