cheongyang

Cheongyang is a Korean toponym and product name that can refer to two related things. Cheongyang County (Cheongyang-gun) is a rural county in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Located in the northern part of the province, it has an economy rooted in agriculture and local industry. The region has become particularly associated with pepper cultivation, and pepper production is a notable agricultural activity in the area.

Cheongyang pepper, also known as Cheongyang gochu, is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum that originated in or near Cheongyang County. It is recognized for its high level of spiciness and distinct, pungent flavor. The pepper is used in fresh form or processed into products such as dried peppers, gochugaru (red pepper powder), and various sauces and stews. The Cheongyang pepper has become a popular ingredient across Korea and is frequently marketed as a regional specialty linked to Cheongyang.

In usage, the term can refer to the county itself or, more commonly, to the pepper cultivar when encountered in culinary contexts. The two senses share a geographic connection, with the pepper named after the county from which it originated or was developed.