Samcheok was initially named Siljikguk or Siljikgokguk. During the sixth year of King
Jijeung's reign in 505 CE, its name changed to Sil-jick joo. In the fifth year of King
Muyeol's reign in 658, its name changed to Book-jin. Its name changed to Samcheok-gun in the sixteenth year of King
Gyeongdeok's reign in 757. During the fourteenth year of King
Seongjong's reign in 995, its name changed to Cheokjoo. During the ninth year of King
Hyeonjong's reign in 1018, its name changed to Samcheok-hyun. Samcheok-hyun was promoted to Samcheok-bu in 1393 during the second year of King
Taejo's reign. During the thirteenth year of King
Taejong's reign in 1413, it became the Samcheok protectorate before being changed to Samcheok-gun during the thirty-second year of King
Gojong's reign in 1895. During Japan's
occupation of Korea, it was changed to Samcheok-myeon in 1917 and promoted to Samcheok-eup in 1938. In 1973, the Hwangji branch office of Jangsung-eup, the most populous in the county, was promoted to Hwangji-eup. In 1980, Bukpyeong-eup was incorporated into
Donghae-si and Wondeock-myeon was elevated to Wondeock-eup. In 1981, Jangseong-eup and Hwangji-eup were joined into
Taebaek-si. In 1986, Samcheok-eup was elevated to Samcheok-si and Wondeok-eup Ojeo branch office was promoted to Kagok-myeon. In 1989, Yonghwa-ri and Jangho-ri were incorporated into Gundeok-myeon. In 1994, Hajang-myeon's five districts were incorporated into Taebaek-si. In 1995, Samcheok-si and Samcheok-gun were combined and incorporated into Samcheok-si. ==Education==