If you look at Korean history, there are times in every era when the Korean people had to defend its territory from invaders. One way the Korean people defended its borders was to build a fortress. It’s an impressive feat for a fortress to remain to this day, because many of them have been damaged by foreign attack. Some of these fortresses can still be viewed as historic sites to this day.

The Dongnae Eupseong Fortress (동래읍성지) is located in Dongnae (동래), which is part of northern Busan (부산). Due to frequent attacks by invaders, a fortress was built to protect the locals. Since it was built (1^st century BC), it has been demolished and rebuilt several times. Even today, some of the original stone, wood and plaster are still intact.

Hwaseong Fortress (화성) is a large fortress that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was constructed for several seasons. Initially King Jeongjo (정조) wanted to honor his executed father and place his remains in the fortress, but it was also built as a wall to shield the people from outside attack. In addition to being a barrier it was an offensive place to shoot arrows and stall the enemy from entering.

Construction is still being done on Samnyeon Sanseong Fortress (삼년산성). This fortress is an archeologically significant piece of work because it dates to the Silla Kingdom. From this fortress, historians have learned what building materials and techniques were used in the Silla Kingdom. There are also numerous graves around the site that are being excavated for their remains.

Geumjeongsanseong Fortress (금정산성) is the largest mountain forest in South Korea. The Geumjeongsanseong Fortress was built in the 1700s to protect the nation from invasions across the sea.  There are several gates and observation towers which are being reconstructed, but it is a huge task to complete because it is seventeen kilometers long and about eight square kilometers in area.

Acha Mountain Fortress (아차산성) is in Gwangjingu (광진구). Gwangjingu is a ward in Seoul (서울). This fortress was built by a Baekjae (백제) king who wanted to ward off Goguryeo (고구려) armies. Eventually the Baekjae were defeated and Goguryeo kings would later form what is now present day Korea. The fortress can still be viewed on Mount Acha (아차산).