GWANGJU, SOUTH KOREA
Date Modified: 06.28.2008
Content: Gwangju - General Info and Links
Source: Wikipedia
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Population: 1,400,000
(2003 estimate)
Area: 501.36 km2
Gwangju Metropolitan City is the fifth largest
city in South Korea. Gwangju is a designated metropolitan city
under the direct control of the South Korean Home Minister. The
city was also the capital of South Jeolla Province until the provincial
office moved to the southern village of Namak, Muan in 2005. Its
geographical location is 35°10?N 126°55?E. Gwangju is
also a sister city to San Antonio.
>>History
The city was established a long time ago (c. 57 BC) and has been
a centre of trade ever since. It was one of the administrative
centres of Baekje during the Three-Kingdom Period.
With the construction of a railway to Seoul in 1914 modern industry
was established. This includes cotton textiles, rice mills and
breweries. Construction of a designated industrial zone in 1967
ensued marked growth in industry, especially in the sectors linked
to the automobile industry.
In 1929, during the period of Japanese occupation, 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 in the colonial period.
In May 1980 civil demonstrations took place in Gwangju against
the newly installed military government of Chun Doo-hwan. 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. Some commentators
assert United States is partly responsible for the mass killing
in the city, because of its tacit endorsement of the Chun Doo-hwan
regime and the mobilization of some units which required an approval
from the U.S. command authority under normal circumstance. Gwangju
is sometimes called "the shrine of Korean democracy"
because of this incident, which is known today as the Gwangju
Massacre. After civilian rule was reinstated, a national cemetery
was established honoring the victims of the incident.
>>Amenities
Chonnam National University and Chosun University are two of the
major educational institutions in the city, with several other
universities and colleges also located in the region. 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.
>>Transportation
Gwangju has one subway line. An extension to the line is under
construction.
>>People
The most famous person from modern-day Gwangju is former president
Kim Dae-jung. Other famous people from Gwangju include actress
Moon Geun Young and baseball player Jae Weong Seo, who were born
there.
TEACH ENGLISH
IN KOREA - Browse ESL jobs
MORE INFO
Gwangju City Government Website
http://eng.gjcity.net/main.jsp
USEFUL LINKS
Currency Converter
Quickly and easily covert one currency into another using
this simple , online currency conversion tool.
http://www.fieba.net/fieba/openconverter.jsp
World Time
Find the time in any country of the world. This page displays world time by time zone and by city or you can use our search form powered by worldtimeserver.com
http://www.esljobproject.com/esl_info/world_time.php
International Calling
Find international calling codes to make international
calls. Easily find how to make an international call from
one country to another.
http://www.esljobproject.com/esl_info/int_calls.html
Banking
Banking information on how to setup an account in Asia.
Find how to start an account in China, Korea, Japan and
Taiwan.
http://www.esljobproject.com/esl_info/banking.html
Flights
Find Asian travel Agents while teaching overseas. ESL
Job Project. Find ESL teaching jobs in Korea, China, Taiwan,
Japan.
http://www.esljobproject.com/esl_info/flights.html
Things to Bring
ESL Teacher suggestions on what to bring to Asia. What
to bring when you teach in China, Taiwan, Korea or Japan.
http://www.esljobproject.com/esl_info/things_to_bring.html
Links
A collection of useful links related to the ESL teaching
community.
http://www.esljobproject.com/links/index.php
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