Five West Sea Islands
The Five West Sea Islands are five small islands in the Yellow Sea near the west coast of Korea. They are Yeonpyeongdo, Baengnyeongdo, Daechongdo, Socheongdo, and Soyeonpyeongdo. They are administered by Incheon, South Korea, but North Korea also claims them because they lie very close to its coast.
How to visit: The only way to reach the islands is by ferry. Three round trips a day go from Incheon to Baengnyeongdo, stopping at Socheongdo and Daechongdo. The trip to Baengnyeongdo is about 200 kilometers and takes about four hours. The islands are very close to North Korea: Baengnyeongdo is about 16 kilometers from Cape Changsan, and Yeonpyeondo is about 10 kilometers from Pupori.
Borders and disputes: After the Korean War, the United Nations Command drew the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in 1953. North Korea later objected and set its own border in 1999, which leaves the islands near the disputed area. The islands sit in the middle of the border between the two countries and have seen much military activity over the years.
Notable clashes: In 1974, North Korea sank a South Korean fishing boat, killing 13 and capturing one survivor. In March 2010, a South Korean navy ship sank near Baengnyeondo after a North Korean torpedo attack. In November 2010, North Korea shelled Yeonpyeongdo, killing four South Koreans and wounding 19. Because of risks, there are about 40 civilian bomb shelters on the islands.
Recent improvements: Despite past conflicts, relations have improved in recent years. The 2018 Panmunjom Declaration allowed more fishing around the islands, including nighttime fishing for the first time in 55 years.
People and culture: Baengnyeongdo has many churches for its population of about 5,700 people (roughly 75% of residents are religious, higher than the mainland). The island has a history tied to early Catholic missions in Korea, including the West Sea route connected to the first priest, Kim Taegon.
Other notes: The islands are close enough to see North Korea from some points, and North Korean ships can be tracked from the area.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 21:46 (CET).