Gwangju
Encyclopedia
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea
. It is a designated metropolitan city
under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister. The city was also the capital of South Jeolla Province
until the provincial office moved to the southern village of Namak in Muan County
in 2005.
Gwang (광, hanja 光) means "light" and Ju (주, hanja 州) means "province." Areas of exquisite scenery along the outskirts of the city gave birth to gasa, a form of Korean classical poetry. Located in the heart of the agricultural Jeolla
region, the city is also famous for its rich and diverse cuisine.
during the Three Kingdoms Period
.
In 1929, during the period of Japanese rule
, a confrontation between Korean and Japanese students in the city turned into a regional demonstration, which culminated in one of the major nationwide uprisings against Japanese rule during the colonial period.
Modern industry was established in Gwangju with the construction of a railway to Seoul
. Some of the industries that took hold include cotton textiles, rice mills and breweries. Construction of a designated industrial zone in 1967 encouraged marked growth in industry, especially in the sectors linked to the automobile industry.
In May 1980, civil demonstrations took place in Gwangju against the newly installed military government of Chun Doo-hwan
resulting in hundreds of civilians being killed by the Korean Military. The demonstrations were suppressed by military forces, including elite units of the Special Operations Command. Most commentators agree that the suppression was characterized by its egregious brutality, including several incidents where military forces fired automatic weapons into crowds of unarmed demonstrators. Gwangju is sometimes called "the shrine of Korean democracy" because of this incident, which is known today as the Gwangju Democratization Movement. After civilian rule was reinstated, a national cemetery was established honoring the victims of the incident.
In 1986, Gwangju separated from Jeollanam-do
to become a Directly Governed City (Jikhalsi), and then became a Metropolitan City (Gwangyeoksi) in 1995.
is a public university in Gwangju.
Honam University, Gwangju University
, Gwangshin University, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju Education University, Gwangju Women's University, Nambu University,
Chosun University
, and Honam Christian University are private universities.
The hometown of numerous renowned scholars, Gwangju has 593 schools, consisting of 234 kindergartens, 145 elementary schools, 84 middle schools, 65 high schools, 7 junior colleges, 9 universities, 38 graduate schools, and 11 others (as of May 1, 2009) with a total of 406,669 students, or 28.5% of the total city population. The average number of students per household (0.8) reflects the city's characteristic as the home of education
.
and Songjeong-ri Station
. Songjeong-ri
is connected to Gwangju Subway; however, no connection exists to Gwangju Station.
It is also served by the Gwangju Airport
.
, China
San Antonio
, United States
http://www.sanantonio.gov/iad/Gwangju.asp Sendai, Japan
http://www.city.sendai.jp/soumu/kouhou/press/02-06-19/gwangju-e.html Tainan
, Taiwan
http://www.tainan.gov.tw/tainan/Intro.asp?nsub=L1A400 Hobart
, Australia
Medan
, Indonesia
http://www.kotamedan.com/main/medan.htm Maceió
, Brazil
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 a designated metropolitan city
Special cities of Korea
In both North and South Korea, a special city, a metropolitan city, or a directly governed city is a city that has a status equivalent to that of a province...
under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister. The city was also the capital of South Jeolla Province
Provinces of Korea
This article describes the historical development of Korea's provinces . For detailed information on current administrative divisions, please see Administrative divisions of North Korea and Administrative divisions of South Korea....
until the provincial office moved to the southern village of Namak in Muan County
Muan County
Muan County is a county in South Jeolla Province , South Korea. In 2005, Muan County became the capital of Jeollanam-do following the transfer of the provincial office from its previous location, Gwangju to the village of Namak in Muan...
in 2005.
Gwang (광, hanja 光) means "light" and Ju (주, hanja 州) means "province." Areas of exquisite scenery along the outskirts of the city gave birth to gasa, a form of Korean classical poetry. Located in the heart of the agricultural Jeolla
Jeolla
Jeolla was a province in southwestern Korea, one of the historical Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. It consisted of the modern South Korean provinces of North Jeolla, South Jeolla and the Special City of Gwangju as well as Jeju Island...
region, the city is also famous for its rich and diverse cuisine.
History
The city was established in 57 BC, and has been a major political and economic centre of Korea ever since. It was one of the administrative centres of BaekjeBaekje
Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
during the Three Kingdoms Period
Three Kingdoms of Korea
The Three Kingdoms of Korea refer to the ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium...
.
In 1929, during the period of Japanese rule
Korea under Japanese rule
Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....
, a confrontation between Korean and Japanese students in the city turned into a regional demonstration, which culminated in one of the major nationwide uprisings against Japanese rule during the colonial period.
Modern industry was established in Gwangju with the construction of a railway to Seoul
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...
. Some of the industries that took hold include cotton textiles, rice mills and breweries. Construction of a designated industrial zone in 1967 encouraged marked growth in industry, especially in the sectors linked to the automobile industry.
In May 1980, civil demonstrations took place in Gwangju against the newly installed military government of Chun Doo-hwan
Chun Doo-hwan
Chun Doo-hwan was a ROK Army general and the President of South Korea from 1980 to 1988. Chun was sentenced to death in 1996 for his heavy-handed response to the Gwangju Democratization Movement, but later pardoned by President Kim Young-sam with the advice of then President-elect Kim Dae-jung,...
resulting in hundreds of civilians being killed by the Korean Military. The demonstrations were suppressed by military forces, including elite units of the Special Operations Command. Most commentators agree that the suppression was characterized by its egregious brutality, including several incidents where military forces fired automatic weapons into crowds of unarmed demonstrators. Gwangju is sometimes called "the shrine of Korean democracy" because of this incident, which is known today as the Gwangju Democratization Movement. After civilian rule was reinstated, a national cemetery was established honoring the victims of the incident.
In 1986, Gwangju separated from Jeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Jeolla province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...
to become a Directly Governed City (Jikhalsi), and then became a Metropolitan City (Gwangyeoksi) in 1995.
Administrative divisions
Gwangju is divided into 5 districts ("Gu").| Map | Name | Hangul Hangul Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean... |
Hanja Hanja Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation... |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gu (Districts) | ||||
| Buk-gu | 북구 | 北區 | ||
| Dong-gu Dong-gu, Gwangju Dong-gu is a district, similar to a ward, situated in the city of Gwangju, South Korea. Mt. Mudeung is a famous landmark in the district. Modern art is displayed at the Street of Art, which was the first one of its kind in South Korea.-External links:*... |
동구 | 東區 | ||
| Gwangsan-gu Gwangsan-gu Gwangsan-gu is a district, similar to a ward, situated in the city of Gwangju, South Korea. The total population of the district, as of September 2004, is 295,294, and the population density of the district is 1,085 per 1 km... |
광산구 | 光山區 | ||
| Nam-gu Nam-gu, Gwangju Nam-gu is the southern district of Gwangju , South Korea.'Nam' means 'south' in Korean hanja. 'gu' means 'district' of metropolitan city in Korean hanja.There are 43 dongs, or neighborhoods, in Namgu, 남구... |
남구 | 南區 | ||
| Seo-gu Seo-gu, Gwangju Seo-gu is a district, meaning west-district in Korean , but situated in the center of the Gwangju city, South Korea. City Hall of the city and a convention center are famous landmarks in the district.... |
서구 | 西區 | ||
Climate
Education
Chonnam National UniversityChonnam National University
Chonnam National University is a South Korean university located in the metropolitan city of Gwangju which lies in the middle of South Jeolla or Jeonnam province, for which the school is named in the Southwest of the country...
is a public university in Gwangju.
Honam University, Gwangju University
Gwangju University
Gwangju University began in 1981 as a four-year college in Jinwol-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju, named Gwangju Gyeongsang Jeonmun Daehak . It now has three graduate schools and four colleges with more than fifteen thousand students....
, Gwangshin University, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju Education University, Gwangju Women's University, Nambu University,
Chosun University
Chosun University
Chosun University is one of the oldest and most prestigious private universities in South Korea. Its campus is situated in Gwangju metropolitan city, in southwestern South Korea. The current president is Joen Ho-Jong...
, and Honam Christian University are private universities.
The hometown of numerous renowned scholars, Gwangju has 593 schools, consisting of 234 kindergartens, 145 elementary schools, 84 middle schools, 65 high schools, 7 junior colleges, 9 universities, 38 graduate schools, and 11 others (as of May 1, 2009) with a total of 406,669 students, or 28.5% of the total city population. The average number of students per household (0.8) reflects the city's characteristic as the home of education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
.
Transportation
The city is served by the Gwangju Subway. An extension was completed in April 2008 with another due for completion in 2012. There are two KTX (high speed rail) stations in the city: Gwangju StationGwangju Station
Gwangju Station is on South Korea's high-speed KTX railway network, 353 km south of Yongsan Station.-History:The station opened on July 1, 1922 and the station building was moved to its present location on July 25, 1969...
and Songjeong-ri Station
Songjeong-ri Station
Gwangju·Songjeong Station is a station in Gwangju, South Korea. It is on the national high-speed KTX railway network, 341 km south of Yongsan Station.-History:...
. Songjeong-ri
Songjeong-ri Station
Gwangju·Songjeong Station is a station in Gwangju, South Korea. It is on the national high-speed KTX railway network, 341 km south of Yongsan Station.-History:...
is connected to Gwangju Subway; however, no connection exists to Gwangju Station.
It is also served by the Gwangju Airport
Gwangju Airport
Gwangju Airport is an airport in the city of Gwangju, South Korea and is managed by the Korea Airports Corporation...
.
Tourism
- Asian Culture Complex Information Center - , the Asian Culture Complex is under construction and is to open by 2010. The Asian Culture Complex Information Center is in operation.
- Gwangju BiennaleGwangju BiennaleThe Gwangju Biennale, which started in September 1995 in the city of Gwangju in the South Jeolla province of South Korea, was Asia's first contemporary art biennale. The purpose of Gwangju Biennale is globalization of art and it respect diversity rather than uniformity...
- It is an internationally renowned modern art festival that is held every two years. It was first launched in 1995. The Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall is located at the Jung-oe Park Culture Center and the Science Center.
- Gwangju Culture & Art Center - The Center regularly hosts events.
- Gwangju Hyanggyo (Confucian School) - Gwangju Hyanggyo is located in the Gwangju Park in Sa-dong. There are many traditional houses here estimated as built during the 1st year of the Joseon Dynasty in 1392. This is a precious national asset as this school continues to hold memorial ceremonies for Confucius twice a year. Admission is free.
- Gwangju National MuseumGwangju National Museum-External links:*...
- The museum houses a permanent collection of historical art and cultural relics that date back to the old Joseon and Goryeo periods of Korean history. The museum also organizes various special exhibitions and cultural learning activities that are open to all.
Culture
- 2002 FIFA World Cup2002 FIFA World CupThe 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
- It is one of the venues used for the World Cup, where matches were played at the Gwangju World Cup Stadium. It was where the South Korea national football team advance to the semi-finals, for the first time in its history, by defeating Spain.
- It is the home of Gwangju FCGwangju FCGwangju FC is a South Korean football club. Based in Gwangju of South Korea, Gwangju FC joined the K-League as its 16th club for the 2011 season.-Squad for 2011 season:...
of the Korea Professional Soccer League (K-LeagueK-LeagueThe Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...
)
- UniversiadeUniversiadeThe Universiade is an International multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation . The name is a combination of the words "University" and "olympiad"...
- It is a candidate city 2015 Summer UniversiadeUniversiadeThe Universiade is an International multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation . The name is a combination of the words "University" and "olympiad"...
games.
- The 3rd Asia Song FestivalAsia song festivalAsia Song Festival, aka A-Song-Fe or ASF, is an annual Asian pop music festival held in South Korea, since 2004. It is hosted by Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange and features artists from Asian countries...
, organised by Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, in 2006, was held at the Gwangju World Cup Stadium.
Sister cities
GuangzhouGuangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
http://www.sanantonio.gov/iad/Gwangju.asp Sendai, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
http://www.city.sendai.jp/soumu/kouhou/press/02-06-19/gwangju-e.html Tainan
Tainan
Tainan City is a city in southern Taiwan. It is the fifth largest after New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Taipei. It was formerly a provincial city, and in 2010, the provincial city merged with the adjacent Tainan County to form a single special municipality. Tainan faces the Taiwan Strait in...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
http://www.tainan.gov.tw/tainan/Intro.asp?nsub=L1A400 Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
Medan
Medan
- Demography :The city is Indonesia's fourth most populous after Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung, and Indonesia's largest city outside of Java island. Much of the population lies outside its city limits, especially in Deli Serdang....
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
http://www.kotamedan.com/main/medan.htm Maceió
Maceió
Maceió is the capital and the largest city of the coastal state Alagoas, Brazil. The name "maceió" is of Indian origin, and designates the natural spontaneously courses of water which flow out of the soil...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- List of cities in South Korea