Myeongnyang Strait

Myeongnyang Strait
Hangul	명량해협
Hanja	鳴梁海峽
Revised Romanization	Myeongnyang Haehyeop
McCune–Reischauer	Myŏngnyang Haehyŏp

The Myeongnyang Strait (also known as Uldolmok Strait; meaning Screaming Strait), just off the southwest corner of South Korea, separates Jindo Island from the mainland. It also separates the administrative district of Haenam County (on the mainland) from Jindo County. At its narrowest point, it is about 293 meters across.

The strait has proved important at several points in Korean history. The seclusion it provided allowed the Sambyeolcho Rebellion to take refuge here in 1271. In 1597, during the Seven Year War, the Korean admiral Yi Sun-sin achieved a decisive victory here against the Japanese fleet, in the Battle of Myeongnyang.

Today, the strait is spanned by the Jindo (island) bridge, South Korea's longest suspension bridge. There is also a memorial to Yi Sun-sin on the coast.

The Myeongnyang Strait, during the lifetime of Yi Sun-Shin, was also known as 'Uldolmok,' or 'the Roaring Channel,' most likely due to the powerful tidal forces occupying and traversing the channel, which were especially loud during springtime.

See also