Gangjin, Jeollanam-do Where Hendrick Hamel Once Lived - Introducing Joseon Korea to the West -
Hello, this is Jiro..png "Hendrick Hamel")
Have you ever heard of Hendrick Hamel?
He was a Dutch sailor who, during the Joseon Dynasty, was shipwrecked while sailing in East Asia and eventually arrived in Korea.
Through the record he later wrote—known today as Hamel’s Journal—Joseon Korea was introduced to the Western world for the first time.
Today, I’d like to explore the story of Gangjin County in Jeollanam-do, where Hamel spent nearly seven years of his life.
.png "Hendrick Hamel")
How Did Hamel End Up in Gangjin?
In 1653, Hendrick Hamel and his fellow sailors, who were part of the Dutch East India Company, were shipwrecked near Jeju Island.
After drifting ashore, they were moved across various regions of Joseon.
Several years later, in 1656, Hamel and his companions were sent into exile in Gangjin.
Jeolla Byeongyeongseong Fortress
π 175 Byeongyeongseong-ro, Byeongyeong-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
Hamel and his group were sent to Gangjin Byeongyeong, which at the time served as the military headquarters overseeing the Jeolla region.
Hamel stayed here until 1663, spending roughly seven years in and around Jeolla Byeongyeongseong Fortress—far from his homeland, in a completely unfamiliar world.
Life Inside the Military Town
While living near the fortress, Hamel was forced into labor.
During this time, he was able to closely observe Joseon society from the inside:
its military organization, administrative systems, and the daily lives of ordinary people.
What began as confinement gradually became observation—and eventually, record.
Life in Gangjin, Preserved as a Record
Hamel’s experiences and observations in Gangjin were later compiled into
Hamel’s Journal.
This document became the first written account that introduced Joseon Korea to Europe, offering Western readers rare insight into a society previously unknown to them.
Gangjin Today
Even today, traces of Hamel can be found throughout Gangjin County.
Near the fortress stands a Dutch-style windmill, symbolizing Hamel’s homeland.
In spring, tulips and daffodils bloom around it, creating a scene that feels, for a moment, like stepping into the Netherlands.
Hamel Memorial Museum
π 180 Byeongyeongseong-ro, Byeongyeong-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
To honor Hamel’s legacy, Gangjin formed a sister-city partnership with Gorinchem, the Netherlands, Hamel’s hometown, and opened the Hamel Memorial Museum.
Visitors can explore Hamel’s life in detail—from his shipwreck and years in Joseon to the creation of Hamel’s Journal.
Where Gangjin Meets the Netherlands
Inspired by this shared history, Gangjin even has its own local craft beer:
Hamel Village Beer.
Made with locally grown rice oats from Gangjin and Dutch malt, it is a beer that can only be enjoyed here—another small but meaningful link between Gangjin and the Netherlands.
Following Hamel’s Gaze
As a foreigner, everything Hamel saw must have felt unfamiliar and new.
By following his gaze, why not take time to explore the Dutch traces scattered throughout Gangjin, and see the town through the eyes of someone encountering Joseon Korea for the first time?
Walking Through History
Today, we explored the story of Hendrick Hamel, the shipwrecked Dutchman, through the places he lived in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do.
Did you enjoy this journey through history?
I hope this story inspires you to travel through Jeollanam-do with history in mind—and to look at familiar landscapes from a new perspective.
Thank you for reading, and please look forward to the next story.
Photo Credit: Gangjin County Office Official Website (Public Nuri Data), National Museum of Korea e-Museum (Public Nuri Data)
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