Etymology of the Name "Geochang"

Historically, this region has been referred to as "Geoyeol", "Geota", and "Arim" which meant " bright place that will rise," "vast field," or "big plain." In the 16th year of King Gyeongdeok’s reign (757) during the Silla Dynasty, it was first named Geochang and over time, with the division and merger of surrounding areas, it came to be called by various other names until it reached its present name.

Gaya Period
  • Geochang which date backs as early as prehistoric times, was called Jataguk and Geota during the early Gaya period and it later became part of the Daegaya Confederacy.
Silla Dynasty
  • In the early Silla period, it was called Geota and Geoyeol. In the 16th year of King Gyeongdeok's reign (757), it was named Geochang-gun. Yeomnae was renamed Gameum-hyeon, Namnae was renamed Yeoseon-hyeon and they were incorporated into Geochang-gun.
Goryeo Dynasty
  • In the 23rd year of King Taejo's reign (940), Yeoseon-hyeon was renamed Gameum-hyeon and Hameum-hyeon was renamed Gaso-hyeon. In the 9th year of King Hyeonjong's reign (1018), Hapcheon was promoted to Hapju and 12 hyeon including Geochang, Gaso, Gameum, Samga, and Ian, were placed under the jurisdiction of Hapju.
Joseon Dynasty
  • In the 14th year of King Taejong's reign (1414), Geoje which was placed under the jurisdiction of Gaso merged with Geochang to form Jechang-hyeon. In the early years of King Yeonsan (1296), Geochang was promoted to Geochang-gun as hometown of Queen Shin of King Yeonsan. However, due to the deposition of Queen Shin (Queen Dangyeong), early in King Jungjong's reign (1506), it was demoted to Geochang-hyeon again. Later, with the restoration of Queen Dangyeong in the 15th year of King Yeongjo's reign (1739), Geochang was promoted to Geochang-bu. In the 32nd year of King Gojong's reign (1895), it was renamed Geochang-gun, and in 1914, Mari, Wicheon and Buksang of Anui-gun and Sinwon-myeon of Samga-gun were incorporated into Geochang-gun.
Modern Times
  • In 1937, Geochang-myeon was elevated to eup (town) status. In 1957, Wolcheon-myeon was merged into Geochang-eup, and in 1972, Jinmok-ri and Chunjeon-ri of Anui-myeon, Hamyang-gun, were incorporated into Namsang-myeon. Currently, Geochang-gun is administratively divided into Geochang-eup and 11 myeon (townships) - Jusang, Ungyang, Goje, Buksang, Wicheon, Mari, Namsang, Namha, Sinwon, Gajo, and Gabuk-myeon.