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Name of Miari-gogae ridge was originated from a temple called Miasa. It gave birth to name of Mia-dong for nearby area and place of Miari-gogae was the pass crossing over to Mia-dong. Miari-gogae was the gateway to Seoul until the city has developed like these days. It was the first big pass on the way to the north from Seoul and it was a threshold to Seoul from the north. During the Korean War, Miari-gogae became a ridge of tears. As the Maginot Line of Korea during the war, Miari-gogae witnessed severe battles between both armies, and many intellectuals and patriots were kidnapped to North Korea through this pass. |
| Some families experienced heartrending sorrows and pains, which was well depicted by the popular song “Danjangeui Miari-gogae” (Heartrending Miari-gogae) by singer Ban Ya-wol. The sad history of Miari-gogae dates back long time. It had been called Doeneomi Ridge and sometimes as Jeogyuryeong after Manchu War in 1636 because the Chinese army had crossed over the pass to invade the medieval Korea. |
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| Previously, the ridge was too steep for the carts to pass through but full-scale developments after mid 1960s transformed the area. On its top, there is Song Monument, History Monument of Miari-gogae along with mini park for rest and ‘Arirang Art Hall’. Also the road is widened to eight lanes and former normal overpass was rebuilt beautifully as to become one of the sight attractions of the area. | |
