It was ruled by the Goguryeo Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period, called Ingpyae-hyeon. After the Silla Dynasty unified the Korean peninsula, it was renamed Jeongseon-hyeon in 757. After the Goryeo Dynasy was founded, it was promoted from a hyeon to a county in 1012 or 1018. After the Joseon Dynasty was founded and the territory was divided into 8 Provinces, the region was involved in the province of Gangwon. After the territory was divided into 23 districts in 1895 with the 8-provincial system abolished, it was included in the district of Chugju. When a 13-provincial system was enacted in 1896, it returned to Gangwon Province.
A lot of coal and limestone is buried in the strata formed during the Paleozoic Era in this region. A Karst zone formed from the dissolution of the limestone is located, and many of solutional caves are found. Natural monuments shaped from the limestone are as follows.
Baekbongryeong Karst zone: Karst zone in baekbongryeong zone is known to be academically useful because karst is located in small area. It was designated Natural Monuments of South Korea number 440 on April 9, 2004.
Jeongseon coral cave: few stony corals are growing in the cave, and there is big coral which is not found elsewhere. Designated as natural monuments number 509 on December 15, 2009.
Jeongamsa Temple : Founded by Jajang, also known as "Galaesa". As Sumano Pagoda stores buddha's Śarīra, there is no Buddharupa.
Sumano Pagoda in Jeongamsa Temple: Pagoda in Jeongamsa Temple. Stones are sharpen like a brick. Designated as Treasure number 410. It is assumed that it was constructured during the Goryeo Dynasty, considering other heritages found in the Jeongam temple. Records indicate it was repaired in 1653.
Duwibong Taxus cuspidata habitat: Taxus cuspidata in Duwibong is protected becauase it is considered oldest in South Korea. Designated natural monuments of South Korea on June 29, 2004 as number 433.
Tourism
High 1 Resort, a ski resort, is located in Gohan-eup, the resort at 1,345 meters is at the highest altitude of the Korean ski resorts. Kangwon Land, the only domestic casino that is open to South Korean citizens, is also located nearby. Arirang Museum, run by the county government, was opened in 2016 to promote Arirang, collecting and displaying around 600 exhibits. Jeongseon Arirang Festival is held annually in October, to preserve Jeongseon Arirang and promote them. In addition to Jeongseon Arirang show, Arirang from other region is also performed.
