Ulsan Gyeongsangjwa-do Byeongyeongseong | Attraction Guide

Built in 1417 (17th year of King Taejong's reign), Ulsan Byeongyeongseong is a typical Joseon-era town fortress constructed on a low hill under 45m in elevation. It served as the garrison for the Gyeongsangjwa-do Byeongmado Jeolje Military Command. The fortress has an oval-shaped layout, measuring approximately 1.2 km in circumference and about 3.7 m in height. Initially, it only had basic facilities such as yeojang (low parapets on the fortress walls for protection). During King Sejong's and King Munjong's reigns, additional defensive structures including ongseong (bastions), jeokdae (watchtowers), and haejai (moats) were added. Records indicate the existence of wells, trenches, and warehouses inside. There is a legend that to move the former military command site to Gibak Mountain Fortress, red flags were planted around its perimeter. Suddenly, a fierce gust blew from the East Sea, carrying one flag on a whirlwind southward; following this direction led to the current fortress site. This reflects the people’s wish to build the fortress at a geopolitically auspicious place to protect against foreign invasions and safeguard the county. The fortress, which guarded the southeastern coastal area for a long time, was damaged during the Imjin and Jeongyu Japanese invasions as troops stationed nearby took stones from it to build Ulsan Japanese Castle. In modern times, urban development left only the fortress ruins until restoration efforts began in 2010, returning much of the fortress to its original form.