Baengnyeong Island (sometimes spelled Baekryeong; ) is a , long and wide island in Ongjin County, Incheon, South Korea, located near the Northern Limit Line. The 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement which ended the Korean War specified that the five islands including Baengnyeong Island would remain under United Nations Command and South Korean control. This agreement was signed by both North Korea and the United Nations Command. Since then, it has served as a maritime demarcation between North and South Korea in the Yellow Sea. It has a population of approximately 4,329. The meaning of its name is "white wing island", since the island resembles a flying ibis with its wings spread. Given its proximity to North Korea, it has served as a base for intelligence activity by South Korea. Numerous North Korean defectors have also boated here to escape economic and political conditions in their homeland. In the recent past there have been several naval skirmishes between the two countries in the area, and Kim Jong-Un threatened on 11 March 2013 to wipe it out. Natural monuments of South Korea #391–#393 are located on Baengnyeong Island. Geography Baengnyeong Island is the westernmost point of South Korea. Travel time by boat to the island from Incheon is about four hours. Changsan Cape in Ryongyon, North Korea, can be seen from Baengnyeong on clear days. Environment The area is also rich in oceanic fauna and bird diversity. The Chinese egret, which is considered to be one of the fifty rarest birds in the world, can be found here. The area hosts a nature reserve for spotted seals, and they can be observed on the rocks and beaches. Seals occasionally attract predators such as the great white shark into the area. Finless porpoisees in adjacent waters are also curious and playful. The Incheon Coast Guard has been investigating illegal whaling targeting minke whales in the area. Climate Religion Owing to the geographical location, Christianity went through Baengnyeong Island ahead of other Korean regions. After the Gabo Reform, Kim Seong-jin was exiled to this island, and the first church in Korea was established in 1896. There are ten churches on the island at the present time. Neighboring islands Two smaller islands nearby are Daecheong Island and the much smaller Socheong Island. History Korean War During the Korean War, the USAF designated the airfield on Paengyong-do as K-53. The island was defended by the West