Gongju
Encyclopedia
Gongju also spelt Kongju, is a city in South Chungcheong province, South Korea
. It is located at 36°27′N 127°7′E.
and was the capital of Baekje
from AD 475 to 538. In this period, Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo
. Goguryeo had overrun the previous capital of Hanseong
(modern-day Seoul), which forced Baekje to find a new center of strength.
In 538, King Seong moved the capital to Sabi
(in modern-day Buyeo County
). However, Gongju remained an important center until the kingdom's fall in 660.
to Gongju (approximately 120 km south of Seoul) and Yeongi
commencing in 2007. A 72.91 square kilometres (18,016.4 acre) site was chosen for the project, which was scheduled to be completed by 2030. It was envisaged that government and administrative functions will move to the new capital, along with (possibly) the National Assembly and supreme court, although no sizable relocation was expected until the first phase of the project has been completed by 2012.
The move was intended to reduce Seoul's overcrowding and economic dominance over the rest of South Korea; perhaps not coincidentally, it would have also moved the government and administration out of range of North Korea
n artillery fire.
The projected cost of the project ranged from $45bn to as much as $94bn.
The plan has aroused controversy, with opposition parties calling for a referendum
to see whether it is endorsed by the population. Some civic groups have also launched a constitutional appeal, and on October 21, 2004, the Constitutional Court ruled that the special law for the relocation of the capital is unconstitutional since the relocation is a serious national matter requiring national referendum or revision of the constitution, thus effectively ending the dispute. Opinion polls showed that a slight majority of South Koreans are opposed to the move, both before and after the ruling.
However, late in 2004, the government announced yet another plan that will allow Seoul to be a capital in name only by retaining the Executive Branch in Seoul, while moving all other branches of government to Gongju. The question remains unresolved to date.
, YoungWoong JaeJoong (also known as Hero
), professional baseball player Chan-ho Park
, and 2009 new singer Taegoon
who were born there.
Also,
Choung, Woon Chan (1948 ~ ) - South Korea's Prime Minister (2009 ~ )
Park, Chan Ho (1973 ~ ) - MLB Player(Current New York Yankees' Pitcher)
Park, Seri (1977 ~ ) - Golf player (LPGA Hall of Fame)
Park, Dong Jin (1916 ~ 2003) - Singer; Pansori
,Traditional Korean Song
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. It is located at 36°27′N 127°7′E.
History
Gongju was formerly named UngjinUngjin
Ungjin, also known as Gomnaru is a former city on the Korean Peninsula. It was located in modern-day Gongju, South Chungcheong province, South Korea. It was the capital of Baekje from AD 475 to 538, during a period when Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo, the previous capital of Wiryeseong ...
and was the capital of Baekje
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
from AD 475 to 538. In this period, Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
. Goguryeo had overrun the previous capital of Hanseong
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
(modern-day Seoul), which forced Baekje to find a new center of strength.
In 538, King Seong moved the capital to Sabi
Sabi
Sabi was the capital of the Korean kingdom of Baekje from 538 until Baekje's fall to Silla in 660. The site of Sabi is located in modern-day Buyeo County, South Chungcheong Province, in South Korea....
(in modern-day Buyeo County
Buyeo County
Buyeo County is a county in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Buyeo-eup, the county's capital, was the site of the capital of the Baekje kingdom from AD 538 to 660, when it was called Sabi....
). However, Gongju remained an important center until the kingdom's fall in 660.
New capital
On August 11, 2004, the South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan announced that the country's capital will be moved from SeoulSeoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
to Gongju (approximately 120 km south of Seoul) and Yeongi
Yeongi County
Yeongi County is a county in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. The seat of government is in Jochiwon-eup. Jochiwon is the main city within Yeongi. Jochiwon, as of 2011, has a large foreign community of native English speakers considering its rather small size and population...
commencing in 2007. A 72.91 square kilometres (18,016.4 acre) site was chosen for the project, which was scheduled to be completed by 2030. It was envisaged that government and administrative functions will move to the new capital, along with (possibly) the National Assembly and supreme court, although no sizable relocation was expected until the first phase of the project has been completed by 2012.
The move was intended to reduce Seoul's overcrowding and economic dominance over the rest of South Korea; perhaps not coincidentally, it would have also moved the government and administration out of range of North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n artillery fire.
The projected cost of the project ranged from $45bn to as much as $94bn.
The plan has aroused controversy, with opposition parties calling for a referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
to see whether it is endorsed by the population. Some civic groups have also launched a constitutional appeal, and on October 21, 2004, the Constitutional Court ruled that the special law for the relocation of the capital is unconstitutional since the relocation is a serious national matter requiring national referendum or revision of the constitution, thus effectively ending the dispute. Opinion polls showed that a slight majority of South Koreans are opposed to the move, both before and after the ruling.
However, late in 2004, the government announced yet another plan that will allow Seoul to be a capital in name only by retaining the Executive Branch in Seoul, while moving all other branches of government to Gongju. The question remains unresolved to date.
Famous people
Famous people associated with Gongju include member of popular boy band TVXQTVXQ
TVXQ, an acronym for Tong Vfang Xien Qi , is a South Korean pop group formed in 2003 under SM Entertainment. In South Korea they are known as Dong Bang Shin Ki , often abbreviated by international fans as DBSK; they were later introduced in Japan as Tohoshinki under the Avex sub-label Rhythm Zone...
, YoungWoong JaeJoong (also known as Hero
Hero (singer)
Kim Jaejoong , also known by his stage name Hero, is a Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and director....
), professional baseball player Chan-ho Park
Chan-ho Park
Chan Ho Park is a South Korean professional baseball pitcher for the Hanwha Eagles of Korea Baseball Organization. He previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League...
, and 2009 new singer Taegoon
Taegoon
Taegoon is a Korean pop singer and dancer. His first television appearance was on the talent search program Battle Shinhwa in 2005. He reached the final round of the competition and was the last one to leave the group...
who were born there.
Also,
Choung, Woon Chan (1948 ~ ) - South Korea's Prime Minister (2009 ~ )
Park, Chan Ho (1973 ~ ) - MLB Player(Current New York Yankees' Pitcher)
Park, Seri (1977 ~ ) - Golf player (LPGA Hall of Fame)
Park, Dong Jin (1916 ~ 2003) - Singer; Pansori
Pansori
Pansori is a genre of Korean traditional music. It is a vocal and percussional music performed by one sorikkun and one gosu . The term pansori is derived from pan , and sori .- Overview :...
,Traditional Korean Song