Hadong County

Hadong was originally called Dasachon (다사촌; 大沙县, "county of much sand") when it was a part of the Jin state. It later became part of Nangnoguk (낙노국; 樂奴國), one of the Byeonhan confederacy's twelve statelets. According to the History of the Three Kingdoms, the region was called Handasa-gun (한다사군) before changing into Hadong-gun in 757 CE during the reign of King Gyeongdeok of Silla. During the Goryeo dynasty, the area was known as Hadong-hyeon (하동현). Amid the reign of the Joseon-era King Taejong in 1414, it became known as Hanamhyeon (하남현) with Namhaehyeon (남해현). In 1702, Agyang-myeon [ko] was added to Hadong-gun. Hadong was raised to the status of Hadongdohobu (하동도호부) in 1740, the thirtieth year of King Sukjong's reign.^[2]

On April 1, 1914, Seo-myeon (서면) and Geumyang-myeon (금양면) were added to Hadong. Part of Seomjin-ri (섬진리), Daap-myeon (다압면), and Gwangyang-gun [ko] of South Jeolla Province were added to Hadong on January 1, 1915. In 1917, Naehoengbo-myeon (내횡보면) was renamed to Hoengcheon-myeon (횡천면) while Deokyang-myeon (덕양면) was renamed to Jingyo-myeon (진교면). Geumyang-myeon (금양면) was abolished and incorporated into Jingyo-myeon (진교면) and Geumnam-myeon (금남면), formerly Nam-myeon (남면), on January 1, 1933. On October 1, 1938, Hadong-myeon (하동면) was elevated to Hadong-eup (하동읍).

During the Korean War, the region was the site of the Hadong Ambush, a North Korean attack on US Army forces.

Nestled between the Seomjin River and Mount Jiri, the county is a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists who enjoy nature.^[3] Portions of the Jirisan National Park lie within the county, forming the county's hilly, mountainous landscape.^[4]

The Ssanggyesa is a historic Korean Buddhist temple of the Jogye Order that has been designated a National Treasure.

Pak Gyeongni's 16-volume novel Land is partially set in the village of Pyeongsa-ri (평사리) in Agyang-myeon, Hadong County. A replica of the fictional Choi family's home was built there to commemorate the author's legacy.^[3][5]

While much of South Korea has experienced rapid industrial development, Hadong remains a destination for those wishing to escape the bustle of city living.^{[original research?]} However, a lack of industrial sector activity has left the government with little incentive to expand the sometimes inadequate existing road infrastructure.^{[original research?]} A petition for the allocation of funds for new road construction was signed by a number of Hadong residents.^[7]

Former South Korean president Lee Myung-bak has recently^[when?] announced plans for the construction of a Gyeongsangnam-do leisure resort palace in Hadong.^[8]

• Jeong Gi-ryong
• Yi Byeong-ju, a novelist, journalist, and reporter
• Jeong Ho-seung
• Kang Man-soo
• Jeong Gongchae, a poet who won the 1960 Contemporary Literature (Hyundae Munhak) Award^[9]

• Agyang Middle School [ko]

Hadong is twinned with:

• Anyang, South Korea
• Gwangyang, South Korea
• Geoje, South Korea
• Seongdong-gu, South Korea
• Haeundae-gu, South Korea
• Zhangqiu, China
• Ya'an, China
• Zhangjiajie, China