Mungyeong Saejae: A Historic Mountain Pass and Home of the Gamhong Apple
Mungyeong Saejae is a mountain pass that crosses the ridge of Joryeong Mountain in the Baekdu-daegan mountain range.
This year, many events were held, including the largest, the 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk.
In collaboration with the Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Technology Center, Mungyeong City supplied 'Gamhong Letter Apples' to the heads of state and delegations during the 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju.
These 'Gamhong Letter Apples' are artistic fruits that feature phrases and patterns symbolizing Korea, such as 'APEC 2025 KOREA', 'K-POP', 'Cheomseongdae Observatory', and 'Gold Crown' on the apple's surface.
I make sure to visit Mungyeong Saejae in Mungyeong every year.
This year, I visited after sunset, and the atmosphere was wonderful.
You can find various varieties of apples produced in Mungyeong right here at Mungyeong Saejae.
Mungyeong Saejae, also known as Saejae, Joryeong, or Chojam, is a mountain pass located in Mungyeong-eup, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, crossing the ridge of Joryeong Mountain in the Baekdu-daegan range.
Major defense facilities, pavilions, tavern sites, Seonghwangdang shrines, and various steles are well-preserved along the old path.
Mungyeong Saejae, where you can take a light stroll even at night, has both an old path and a past examination path.
It's a great old path where modern people can enjoy the old road culture and scholar culture of the Joseon Dynasty, and there are also food options available.
Now, it gets dark as if it's already night by 5 PM.
If you go to Mungyeong Saejae by 7 PM, you can find the Mungyeong apple, Gamhong.
The success story of the Gamhong apple, created by Mungyeong City and local farmers, holds great significance in the history of local agriculture.
During the festival held in October this year, the popularity of Gamhong apples resulted in Mungyeong's accommodations and restaurants being fully booked every day of the festival.
Among Mungyeong apples, Gamhong is the most expensive and is establishing itself as a legend of autumn.
Since ancient times, it has been the highest and most rugged pass on the Yeongnamdaero, connecting the Han River and Nakdong River basins.
It was a key point for socio-cultural, economic distribution, and national defense.
The Mungyeong Saejae road was the shortest distance from Dongnae, Busan, to Hanyang (Seoul).
Walking along the glittering path of Mungyeong Saejae, you can find Mungyeong's food and Mungyeong apples.
Mungyeong City has introduced calcium fertilizer cultivation methods, blight prevention technology, and storage improvement technology to increase the growth stability of Gamhong.
Although it was once classified as a 'variety to abandon' due to its short storage period, its marketability is now much higher than in the past.
So, even though I visited Mungyeong Saejae after mid-November, I was able to find Gamhong apples.
I didn't expect to find Gamhong so late in November, but I did!
The average sugar content of Gamhong is 16-17 Brix, and it boasts an excellent taste, reaching up to 24 Brix.
With a high sugar content of over 17 Brix, a rose fragrance, and a vivid red color, it boasts sensory perfection and is a result that shows the technological prowess of Korean agriculture.
If there are people who haven't been to Mungyeong Saejae yet, be sure to visit this year.
A post and photos by Choi Hong-dae, 2025 Gyeongsangbuk-do SNS Supporter.
* This post was directly covered and written by the Gyeongsangbuk-do SNS Supporters and was posted after confirmation by Gyeongsangbuk-do.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/gyeongbuk_official/224090263292
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