Jinju-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do, Korea Jinju Is a Hub City of Southern Korea
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Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea Jinju is a hub city of southern Korea. From old times, Jinju was a fountainhead of national culture and spirit. As a city that has held 1,000-year-old historical heritage of the ancient city, Jinju has been well renowned as a home of patriotic spirit, education, culture and art. Jinju was an ancient city of Goryeonggaya in the Gaya Era. This city was called 'Geoyeolseong' of Baekje in the Three Kingdom Era, and was called 'Geoyeolju', 'Cheongju', and 'Gangju' in the Unified Silla Era. Name of this city was changed into 'Jinju' for the first time in the 23rd year of King Taejong of the Goryeo Dynasty (940). It became 'Jinju-mok', one of 12 moks (local administrative units in Goryeo and Joseon Dynasty) in the 2nd year of King Seongjong (983). In the 33rd year of King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty (1896), administrative - 1 - districts of the nation were reorganized into 13 provinces. At that time Jinju came to belong to Gyeongsangnam-do, and became the capital town of Gyeongsangnam-do. And a provincial governor started to reside at Jinju. On April 1, 1925, Busan replaced Jinju as the provincial capital. On August 15, 1949, the government of the Republic of Korea was established and 'the local self-government system' was started. At that time, Jinju-bu was raised to Jinju-si (city) and started to have its mayor. On January 1, 1995, in accordance with 'the Act pertaining to the establishment of Urban-Rural Integrated City', Jinju-si and Jinyang-gun were merged into Jinju-si (city). ▢ Local Festivals 1. Gaecheon Yesulje (Art Festival) / Oct 3 - 10, 2010 The Gaecheon Art Festival is the first festival of all local cultural festivals in Korea. It is held annually from October 3 to October 10 to commemorate the victory of Jinjuseong Battle (during the Imjinwaeran war (1592)) and hand down the spirit of Dangun, the legendary founder of the - 2 - country. This festival began in 1949 under the name of 'Yeongnam Art Festival' to commemorate the first anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan and to stimulate the development of Korean arts and culture. Since then, as the best art festival of the country, it has been held annually without fail except Korean War in 1950 and the military Coup on October 26, 1979. The official name of this event changed from 'Yeongnam Art Festival' into 'Gaecheon Art Festival' in 1959. The celebration features various cultural and art events including 60 small events in 7 parts, such as Costume Parade, International Yudeung Festival of Namgang Jinju, Jinju Bullfighting, Nam Insu Singing Competition, and so on. 2. Jinju Non-gae Festival / Apr 30 - May 2, 2010 Jinju Nongae Festival is held annually in May. This festival aims to unify traditional arts of the Jinju area such as 'Uiambyeolje', 'Jinju Mask Dance Hanmadang', and others. Also it is to commemorate the patriotic spirit of Nongae - a symbol of patriotism & integrity - and 70,000 soldiers who - 3 - died in the Jinjuseong Battle during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. This festival is very famous for its unique and inimitable materials that represent cultural features of Jinju. Nongae Festival is held in the spring being focused on the traditional arts, and Gaecheon Art Festival is held in the autumn being focused on the fine arts. These two festivals are expected to make Jinju reborn as a city of festival matched with its reputation, a true home of cultural and art festivals. 3. International Yudeung Festival of Namgang, Jinju / Oct 1 - 12, 2010 During the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, the General Gim, Si-min and 3,800 government troops flew pungdeungs (pungdeung: a lamp that was flown high with the use of the wind) and floated lamplights down the river with torches to signal the support forces, in the Jinjuseong Battle. Also, they used these lamps for a military purpose: to keep the Japanese invaders from crossing the river and to communicate with the soldiers' - 4 - families who stayed outside the castle. The International Yudeung Festival of Namgang Jinju (Yudeung: floating lamps down the river) was begun to commemorate the patriotic spirit of 70,000 militia corps and government troops who died for their country in the second Jinjuseong Battle (the year of Gyesa, 1593) and to hand down the tradition of Yudeung. This festival had been held in Jinju for a long time, then, in 1949, a present type of Yudeung festival was established and has been held annually since. In 2002, this festival was designated as the "specialized local festival" by the Ministry of Culture &Tourism to be run more fruitfully. 4. Jinju Traditional Bullfighting Festival / Oct 6 - 11, 2010 Jinju Bullfighting is the first bullfighting of all Korean traditional bullfights. It was originated from the Three Kingdom Period, and has been maintained up to the present, with its original form. This festival is held annually on a - 5 - nationwide scale during the Gaecheon Art Festival. Since 2001, the standing Bullfighting has been held every other week to attract tourists' interest. - 6 - Section I Community Overview Current City Population 110,674 Households, 340,816 person / Men 168,824, Women 171,992 Source : STATISTICAL YEARBOOK OF JINJU / Data : Information Management Office, Jinju City The annual growth of the population has been 0.4% since 1995. People between the ages of 20 and 29 represents 17.5% of the city's total population, and it justifies the city's long-standing reputation as an educational city. The proportion of its senior population (65 years or older), 7.6% of the city's total population, is higher than the provincial average (6.8%). This suggests that Jinju City is providing senior citizens with livable conditions, such as a variety of welfare programs and pleasant living environment. - 8 - Current SMSA or LUZ Population Metropolitan Area Population Munsan-eup 7,910 Manggyeong-dong 18,490 Gangnam-dong 6,516 Seongji-dong 6,676 Jungang-dong 4,598 Bongan-dong 6,944 Sangdae 1-dong 15,459 Sangdae 2-dong 13,476 Hadae 1-dong 16,738 Hadae 2-dong 14,504 Sangpyeong-dong 13,473 Pyeonggeo-dong 30,610 Sinan-dong 15,950 Source : STATISTICAL YEARBOOK OF JINJU / Data : Information Management Office, Jinju City Population within a 50-Mile Radius of Applicant City Applicant City Population Changwon-si 509,801 Masan-si 414,771 Jinhae-si 171,421 Tongyeong-si 138,791 Sacheon-si 114,482 - 9 - Gimhae-si 490,025 Miryang-si 111,910 Geoje-si 224,848 Yangsan-si 246,848 Uiryeong-gun 31,915 Haman-gun 68,368 Changnyeong-gun 62,381 Goseong-gun 57,031 Namhae-gun 51,158 Hadong-gun 53,765 Sancheong-gun 35,355 Hamyang-gun 40,816 Geochang-gun 63,637 Hapcheon-gun 56,110 Source : STATISTICAL YEARBOOK OF JINJU / Data : Information Management Office, Jinju City - 10 - Primary Festival and Event Venues Available ▢ Jinjuseong Castle Ÿ Location : Bonseong-dong, Namseong-dong, Jinju-si Ÿ Size : 176,804 ㎡ Ÿ Construction Period : Goryeo Period (1079-1229) Jinjuseong Castle (area 1,760 ㎡, stone castle) is a sacred ground of Jinju in which history and culture of Jinju are well integrated. Originally, it had been a mud castle. It was rebuilt with stones against frequent invasion of sea marauders in the 5th year of King Woo, Goryeo Dynasty (1379). During the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, General Gim, Si-min won a victory at this castle, which was one of three great victories in the war. In the next year (1593), at the second Jinjuseong Battle, about 70,000 militia corps and government troops resisted to the last to die for their country gloriously. - 11 - This castle was used for the provincial office of Gyeongsangnam-do from 1895 to 1925. From 1969, the first Jinjuseong Restoration Project was started. In 1972, Chokseongmun was completed, and in 1975, fortress repair was finished. From 1979, the second Restoration Project was conducted. Removal of 751 private houses was promoted and was completed in 1984. In 1992, as the third project, the outer wall of the castle was improved. There are many historical relics on this site such as Jinju National Museum, Jinjuseong Imjindaecheop Gyesasunuidan Altar, Changnyeolsa Temple, and Hoguksa Temple. ▢ Namgaram Munwhageori (Culture Street) 'Namgaram Munwhageori' was designated as the first model of 'Culture & Art Street' in Korea. Located in the middle of the metro area, it shows traditions and unique cultural characteristics of Jinju as a city of history, culture and art. From 1992 to 2002, it was developed over 10 years of hard work. Construction was conducted under two work stages. The first stage was - 12 - for the construction of 'Culture & Art Street' and the second stage was for the construction of 'History Street'. In the whole area of Chilam, Manggyeong District, and Namgang riverside (74,546m2, 2.9km) that connects Jinyang Bridge - Culture & Arts Center - Jinju Bridge - Cheonsu Bridge, a bamboo grove was restored. Outdoor stages, monuments, sculptures and resting places were furnished. Various cultural spaces including Jinjuseong Castle, Namgang Watch Tower, Cheonnyeon Square, and Jungang Square were also constructed. Thus, this culture street has changed the entire aspect of this culture & art city, Jinju. With the natural environment and unique flavor of the Namgang River that flows through the city and great scenery of Jinjuseong Castle and Dwibyeori (a cliff) for its background, it has received much recognition as a major tourist attraction of Jinju by hosting a variety of cultural and art events positively and providing people with chances to enjoy them, by playing an important role for the history education, and by providing Jinju citizens with cozy and comfortable resting places.