Deep in South Korea, in the Gangwon-do region, Cheongnyeongpo (청령포) is a peaceful island surrounded by the arms of the Nakdong River, an island as remarkable for its tragic history as for its beauty. This island was home to the last days in exile of the young King Danjong, who ascended the throne in the prime of his life. Now open to visitors as a historical site, Cheongnyeongpo takes people deep into the past with the sad story of Danjong, who became king at the age of 15.
From the outside, being born into a famous family or as a Prince, heir to the throne, can sound very nice. But these stories don’t always have a happy ending. Such is the story of Danjong the Child King.
This island, which we visited only for its natural beauty during our trip, opened the doors of a story we never expected.
Danjong ascended the throne as the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty in 1452 when he was only 12 years old. Intelligent and well-educated despite his young age, Danjong thought he was ready to be king, but the balance of power and conflicts of interest in the Joseon Dynasty did not allow him to stay on the throne for long. His uncle, Prince Suyang (later King Sejo), had already begun his game of thrones to depose his young nephew and seize power.
In 1455, after only three years on the throne, Danjong was forced to be dethroned by his uncle. His uncle declared himself King Sejo and, seeing Danjong as a political threat, decided to remove him from the capital of Joseon. So the young king was exiled to Cheongnyeongpo, an isolated island in the middle of a river surrounded by forests.
As we walk around the island, let’s imagine the daily life of King Danjong. A boy who had to mature early despite his young age… A king whose freedom was taken away before he could learn what freedom means…
Danjong’s life in Cheongnyeongpo was a quiet and lonely exile. Every morning, he woke up to the calm flow of the Nakdong River, a sound that reminded him every day of the freedom he had lost. The island is surrounded on all sides by a natural barrier that separates it from the world. There is only a narrow road between the island, surrounded on three sides by the river and on one side by steep cliffs, and the outside world, and this road is heavily guarded.
He would take his daily walks among the pine trees, looking at the distant mountains and thinking about his old life. Trees, stones, every plant by the river became his familiar friends. He spent his days reading old classical texts and practicing calligraphy. These writings became subtle signs that reflected the young king’s inner world and showed his commitment to his identity.
Despite his young age, Danjong felt the deep weight of the throne and freedom he had lost. Every poem and prayer he wrote symbolized both his grief for what he had lost and his patience in the face of a difficult life. “Even a bird in a cage sings to the sky,” he said in one of his writings, explaining that he did not lose hope even in loneliness and sadness.
Cheongnyeongpo’s natural beauty brought a measure of peace to the young king’s life in exile. The island is surrounded by towering pine trees and tranquil riverbanks. The flowers blooming in spring fill the island with a fragrant scent, while the leaves falling in the fall turn the island golden yellow and red. This serene beauty of nature offered a brief solace in Danjong’s sad life.
In 1457, after nearly two years of exile, Danjong’s life ended with a brutal decision by King Sejo. His uncle, fearing that the young king might return to the throne, ordered his execution. Danjong’s spirit is believed to still haunt Cheongnyeongpo, leaving a deep sadness in the silence there.
How to get to Cheongnyeongpo?
Cheongnyeongpo is located in Yeongwol county in Gangwon-do, South Korea. If you don’t have your own car, you first need to take a bus or train from Seoul to Yeongwol to reach the island. This takes about two and a half hours, followed by a short boat ride along the river from Yeongwol to Cheongnyeongpo.
Today, visitors not only take a stroll through this natural beauty, but also witness the last days of a young king and a tragic chapter in Korean history. They walk the paths that Danjong walked and think of the nights when he looked up at the stars and hoped.
Good Day
