Uldolmok - Filming Site of the Movie Myeongnyang

Uldolmok, a narrow strait 300 m wide under Jindo Bridge

Uldolmok is the strait between Usuyeong in Haenam (Hakdong-ri, Munnae-myeon) and Nokjin-ri on Jindo, and it is also called Myeongnyang. It is about 1.5 km long, about 300 m wide at its narrowest and 20 m deep at its deepest. Today the arched Jindo Bridge crosses over it. At high tide, water from the wide South Sea rushes all at once into this narrow neck and out to the West Sea, creating strong whirlpools.

Uldolmok, when and where to watch the whirlpools

The three pavilions below the Usuyeong Tourist Site ticket office are places where you can safely see the swirling currents up close. Haenam County has also set three separate current-viewing points. The currents are fastest around the full moon and the new moon. They differ a little each day with the tides, but you can usually see whirlpools between 14:00 and 16:00. The usual current speed is 7–10 knots, and the highest recorded since the tidal power plant was built is 13 knots.

Uldolmok, the sea where Yi Sunsin moved his base the day before the Battle of Myeongnyang

Uldolmok is where the Battle of Myeongnyang took place in 1597, during the Jeongyu War. General Yi Sunsin judged that fighting with this fast-flowing strait at his back would be a disadvantage. On September 15, one day before the battle, he moved his base from Byeokpajin to the Jeolla Right Naval Headquarters. The scene in the film 'Myeongnyang' where enemy ships are caught in the current and spin around was also set here.

Source: Haenam County Culture and Tourism