Jinju () is a
city
A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Social Science Encyclopedia''. 2nd edition. London: Routledge. It can be def ...
in
South Gyeongsang Province,
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eas ...
. It was the location of the
first (1592) and
second (1593) Sieges of Jinju by Japanese forces during the
Imjin War
The Imjin River ( in South Korea) or Rimjin River ( in North Korea) is the 7th largest river in Korea. It flows from north to south, crossing the Demilitarized Zone and joining the Han River downstream of Seoul, near the Yellow Sea. The river i ...
. The
Republic of Korea Air Force Education and Training Command
A republic () is a "sovereign state, state in which Power (social and political), power rests with the people or their Representative democracy, representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of gov ...
is located in the eastern part of the city.
There are cultural-historical tourist attractions in Jinju such as , the
Jinju National Museum
Jinju National Museum is a national museum located in the Jinju fortress (진주성 晉州城), Jinju, South Korea. It opened in February 1984 with the purpose to specialize the theme of Imjinwaeran.
See also
* List of museums in South Korea
*N ...
, and the
Nam-gang Prehistoric Site Museum.
History
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 during the Three Kingdom Era, and was called 'Geoyeolju', 'Cheongju', and 'Gangju' during the Unified Silla Era. Name of this city was changed into 'Jinju' for the first time in 940, the 23rd year of King
Taejo of the Goryeo Dynasty.
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 district of the nation was reorganized with 13 provinces. At that time Jinju began to belong to Gyeongsangnam-do, and became capital town of Gyeongsangnam-do. And provincial governor started to reside in Jinju. On April 1, 1925, Busan replaced Jinju as 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 mayor of the city. On January 1, 1995, in accordance with 'the Law pertaining to the establishment of Urban-Rural Integrated City', Jinju-si and Jinyang-gun became extinct and were merged into one integrated Jinju-si (city).
Culture and festivals
There are cultural events held in Jinju every year. Among these are the Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival which is held in October for approximately ten days. This nationally designated cultural tourism festival, found only in Jinju, features a spectacle of lanterns floating on the Nam River to commemorate the patriotic spirit of the 70,000 militia corps and government troops who died for their country defending Jinju from the Japanese forces during the
Imjin War
The Imjin River ( in South Korea) or Rimjin River ( in North Korea) is the 7th largest river in Korea. It flows from north to south, crossing the Demilitarized Zone and joining the Han River downstream of Seoul, near the Yellow Sea. The river i ...
(1592–1598). Other major festivals include: the
Nongae
Nongae or Joo Nongae (Hangul: 주논개, Hanja: 朱論介) (3 September 1574 – 1593)
was a gisaeng of Jinju during the Joseon Dynasty of Korea.
A popular legend tells the story of her sacrificial assassination of the Japanese general Key ...
Festival, the Korea Drama Festival, the Gaecheon Arts Festival and the Jinju National Bullfighting Contest.
The Nongae Festival, held in May each year commemorates and celebrates the sacrifice of the patriotic
gisaeng (professional Korean entertainer)
Nongae
Nongae or Joo Nongae (Hangul: 주논개, Hanja: 朱論介) (3 September 1574 – 1593)
was a gisaeng of Jinju during the Joseon Dynasty of Korea.
A popular legend tells the story of her sacrificial assassination of the Japanese general Key ...
's suicide-assassination of a Japanese general together with the 70,000 Koreans who lost their lives in the battle of Jinju Castle during the
Imjin War
The Imjin River ( in South Korea) or Rimjin River ( in North Korea) is the 7th largest river in Korea. It flows from north to south, crossing the Demilitarized Zone and joining the Han River downstream of Seoul, near the Yellow Sea. The river i ...
. The festival features an emotional reenactment of Nongae's suicidal drowning of a Japanese general from ''uiam bawi'' (righteous rock) below Chokseongnu (Jinju castle pavilion) on the banks of the Nam River.
Gaecheon Arts Festival is annually held from October 3 to 10 and the entire city turns to the streets for celebration at Korea's first provincial culture art festival, which awakens the artistic spirit of the Korean people. The festival falls around
Gaecheonjeol
Gaecheonjeol () is a public holiday in South and North Korea on 3 October. Also known by the English name National Foundation Day, this holiday celebrates the legendary formation of the first Korean state of Gojoseon in 2333 BC. This date has ...
(National Foundation Day) and is widely regarded as one of Korea's finest.
The Jinju National Bullfighting Contest is recognized as Korea's oldest bullfighting event and spectators can witness a test of strength at this bullfighting contest held at a purpose-built traditional Korean sports arena near Jinyang lake.
The 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championships will be held in Jinju.
Population
At just over a third of a million, Jinju is a relatively small city by Korean standards. The annual growth of the population is 0.4% since 1995. People between the ages of 20 and 29 represent 17.5% of the city's total population, and justify the city's long-standing reputation as an educational city. The senior population (65 years or older), representing 7.6% of the city's total population, is higher than the provincial average (6.8%). This suggests that Jinju is providing senior citizens with livable conditions, such as a variety of welfare programs and pleasant living environment.
Local personality
Gang Se-hwang, a high ranking government official and representative painter, calligrapher and art critic, was born here in 1713, son of Kang Hyeon.
Jinju cuisine
![Korean cuisine-Jinju bibimbap-01](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Korean_cuisine-Jinju_bibimbap-01.jpg)
Jinju has a number of distinctive local delicacies which reflect the tastes of Jinju people. Perhaps most celebrated is Jinju
bibimbap
Bibimbap
* ( , from Korean , literally "mixed rice"), sometimes romanized as bi bim bap or bi bim bop, is a Korean rice dish. The term "bibim" means "mixing" and " bap" refers to cooked rice. ''Bibimbap'' is served as a bowl of warm white ri ...
, which distinguishes itself from the common Korean rice and vegetable dish by its use of ''
yukhoe
''Yukhoe'' ( ko, 육회 ) is a raw meat dish in Korean cuisine. It is most commonly made of beef but it can come in various kinds and cuts of meat.
''Yukhoe'' literally means 'raw (''hoe'', ) meat (''yuk'', )'. Therefore, in the strictest contex ...
'', made with raw beef and generous amounts of sesame oil. Also famous is Namgang (Nam River) Grilled Eel (), which is caught locally and served in any one of the numerous restaurants overlooking the Nam. Enjoying their food spicy, Jinjuites have also perfected a hot pepper (''ttaengcho'') version of the popular Korean side dish ''
pajeon
''Pajeon'' (, ) is a variety of '' jeon'' with scallion as its prominent ingredient, as ''pa'' () means scallion. It is a Korean dish made from a batter of eggs, wheat flour, rice flour, scallions, and often other ingredients depending on the v ...
'' (scallion pancake) known by its colloquial name
jijimi
''Jijimi'' () is a type of Korean stew
A stew is a combination of solid food ingredients that have been cooked in liquid and served in the resultant gravy. A stew needs to have raw ingredients added to the gravy. Ingredients in a stew ...
. This is best enjoyed with a bowl of local rice wine
makkeolli
''Makgeolli'' ( ko, 막걸리, raw rice wine ), sometimes anglicized to makkoli (, ), is a Korean alcoholic beverage. The milky, off-white, and lightly sparkling rice wine has a slight viscosity that tastes slightly sweet, tangy, bitter, and ast ...
.
Silk industry
Since ancient days, silk processed in Jinju has been known for its superior quality, which is a result of the combination of natural resources (such as clean water of Mt. Jirisan and so on) and human resources. Silk factories in Jinju annually spin out 70% of the national production. Jinju silk has a soft, refined feeling and elegant colors because of its superior dyeing techniques.
Education
Jinju is an educational city and is home to
Gyeongsang National University
Gyeongsang National University (GNU, 경상대학교) is a national university governed under the ministry of education of Republic of Korea government and located in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province and represents the South Gyeongsang Provinc ...
and
Chinju National University of Education
Jinju () is a city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It was the location of the first (1592) and second (1593) Sieges of Jinju by Japanese forces during the Imjin War. The Republic of Korea Air Force Education and Training Command is ...
,
Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology
Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology (GNTECH) is a national university located in Jinju, South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the ...
. It is also home to
International University of Korea
International University of Korea is a private university located in Jinju, South Korea. It is located east of Jinju.
Established in 1978 and later as Jinjun International University, the post secondary institution was renamed the current na ...
, catering mostly to foreign students. It also has a number of community colleges that serve the local area. Jinju's high schools also offer a high quality of education and have a wide catchment area, reaching beyond the city limits to attract students from surrounding towns such as:
Sacheon
Sacheon () is a city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Sacheon's chief fame comes from its being the site of two naval battles in the Seven Year War.
The city as it now exists results from the merging of Sacheon-gun and Samcheonpo-si in ...
,
Hadong
Hadong County (, ''Hadong-gun'') is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is on the far-west side of the province, bordering South Jeolla Province. The county office is located at Hadeong-eup.
History
The county of Hadong was call ...
and
Sancheong
Sancheong County (''Sancheong-gun'') is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. History
After the unification of Silla, the Danseong region was known as Jipumcheon prefecture(知品川縣), and ...
.
Universities
Economy and business
Jinju was named as one of several 'enterprise cities' by the South Korean government. The government has supported Jinju as a hub of bio-industrial technological innovation from Dec. 1, 2000. The government provided 5 billion won from 2000 to 2004 in biological and chemical material industries in Jinju. There are 618 manufacturing companies (the number of employees: 11,806), 1 local industrial complex and 4 rural industrial complexes as part of an integrated urban and rural city. Jinju Hyeoksin Dosi (New innovation city) established by President Noh Moohyun (2003-2007) with headquarters of vast LH corp. (State-run Land & Housing corp Toji Jutaek gongsa) and Namdong thermal power corp. etc.
Namdong thermal power is one of 5thermal power subsidiary, I.E.Nambu
(Southern) thermal in Busan, Dongseo thermal in Ulsan, Seobu (Western) in Taean,
Jungbu (Central) in Boryeong, Chungnam of Korea monopoly utility co. of giant Kepco in Naju of Gwangju metro head office.
Transportation
The main highway in Jinju is National Highway 10 or
Namhae Expressway
The Namhae Expressway ( Korean: 남해고속도로, Namhae Gosok Doro; ) is a freeway in South Korea, connecting Yeongam to Suncheon, Gwangyang, Jinju, Changwon and Busan.
It was opened in 1973 with Honam Expressway's Jeonju - Suncheon ...
.
The closest airports to Jinju are
Sacheon Airport
Sacheon Airport is an airport in Sacheon, South Korea . It also serves the city of Jinju. The airport passenger service began in 1977 after years of delays. The airport has a small single storey terminal building for domestic flights. In 2011, 14 ...
(domestic) and
Gimhae International Airport
Gimhae International Airport (), commonly known as Gimhae Airport (formerly Kimhae International Airport) is located on the western end of Busan, South Korea. The name "Gimhae" comes from the nearby city of Gimhae. It opened in 1976. A new int ...
(International).
Jinju is served by passenger service at
Jinju Station along the
Gyeongjeon Line
The Gyeongjeon Line (''Gyeongjeonseon'') is a railway line serving South Gyeongsang and South Jeolla Provinces in South Korea. It covers a total of 300.6 km, from Samnangjin Station in Miryang, South Gyeongsang, to Gwangju Songjeong Statio ...
.
Climate
Twin towns – sister cities
Jinju is
twinned with:
*
Eugene,
Oregon
Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. T ...
, United States (1961)
*
Kitami
is a city in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the most populous city and the commercial center in the subprefecture, although the subprefecture capital is Abashiri.
Kitami is physically in the middle of Okhotsk Subprefecture. Th ...
, Japan (1985)
*
Winnipeg
Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, near the longitudinal centre of North America. , Winnipeg had a city population of 749, ...
, Canada (1992)
*
Xi'an
Xi'an ( , ; ; Chinese: ), frequently spelled as Xian and also known by other names, is the capital of Shaanxi Province. A sub-provincial city on the Guanzhong Plain, the city is the third most populous city in Western China, after Chongqi ...
,
Shaanxi
Shaanxi (alternatively Shensi, see § Name) is a landlocked province of China. Officially part of Northwest China, it borders the province-level divisions of Shanxi (NE, E), Henan (E), Hubei (SE), Chongqing (S), Sichuan (SW), Gansu (W), N ...
, China (2016)
Friendship cities
*
Kyoto
Kyoto (; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin, Keihanshin metropolitan area along wi ...
, Japan (1999)
*
Matsue
is the capital city of Shimane Prefecture, Japan, located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. The city has an estimated population of 202,008 (February 1, 2021) following the merger with Higashiizumo from Yatsuka District.
Matsue is located ...
, Japan (1999)
*
Omsk, Russia (2007)
*
Zhengzhou,
Henan
Henan (; or ; ; alternatively Honan) is a landlocked province of China, in the central part of the country. Henan is often referred to as Zhongyuan or Zhongzhou (), which literally means "central plain" or "midland", although the name is al ...
, China (2000)
Gallery
File:Jinju-korea-2009.jpg, Jinju and the Nam River
File:Korea-Jinju-Festival-Nam.River-02.jpg, Korea Drama Festival
File:Korea-Jinju-Jinju.Fortress-02.jpg, Jinju Fortress
File:Korean sword dance-Jinju geommu-09.jpg, Jinju geommu
File:Korean dance-Jinju pogurakmu-09.jpg, Jinju pogurakmu
File:Jinju panorama.jpg, A view over the Namgang in Jinju
File:Choksuk Pavillion-JinjuCastle2.jpg, The rampart
Rampart may refer to:
* Rampart (fortification), a defensive wall or bank around a castle, fort or settlement
Rampart may also refer to:
* "O'er the Ramparts We Watched" is a key line from "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the ...
along Nam River
Notable people
*
Non-Gae - notable
Gisaeng who jumped off a cliff into a river with
Keyamura Rokusake resulting in both their deaths (Originally from
Jangsu County
Jangsu County (''Jangsu-gun'') is a county in North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is well known for Jangsu-Galbi.
Climate
Twin towns – sister cities
Jangsu is twinned with:
* Anyang, South Korea (1996)
* Hapcheon, South Korea (1999 ...
,
Jeollabuk-do
North Jeolla Province (; ''Jeollabuk-do''), also known as Jeonbuk, is a province of South Korea. North Jeolla has a population of 1,869,711 (2015) and has a geographic area of 8,067 km2 (3,115 sq mi) located in the Honam region in the southwes ...
)
*
Yoo Yeon-seok
Yoo Yeon-seok (born Ahn Yeon-seok on April 11, 1984) is a South Korean actor. After making his acting debut in 2003 with a small role in '' Oldboy'', he resumed his acting career in 2008. His notable works include the films '' Re-encounter'' (2 ...
— actor.
*
Kang Ho-dong
Kang Ho-dong (born June 11, 1970) is a South Korean television host and comedian, who first became known to Koreans as one of the top Korean traditional wrestlers.
In 2008, Kang Ho Dong became the first comedian in history to win the Baeksan ...
— host,
comedian, former
Korean traditional wrestlers.
*
Go A-ra
Go Ara (; born February 11, 1990) is a South Korean actress and model. She is best known for starring in the television series ''Sharp'' (2003), ''Heading to the Ground'' (2009), ''Reply 1994'' (2013), ''You're All Surrounded'' (2014), '' Hwara ...
— actress, model.
*
Jung So-min
Jung So-min (; born Kim Yoon-ji on March 16, 1989) is a South Korean actress. She made her acting debut in 2010 with a supporting role in the television series ''Bad Guy''. She is known for her leading role in her 2010 TV series ''Playful Kiss'', ...
— actress.
*
ASTRO
Astro may refer to:
Entertainment and media
* Astro (South Korean band), a South Korean boy band
* Astro (UB40) (1957–2021), member of the British reggae band UB40
* Astro (Chilean band), a Chilean indie rock band
* Astro (Japanese band), ...
Rocky
''Rocky'' is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the first installment in the ''Rocky'' franchise and stars Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, and Burge ...
(Real Name: ''Park Min-hyuk'',
Hangul
The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, . Hangul may also be written as following South Korea's standard Romanization. ( ) in South Korea and Chosŏn'gŭl in North Korea, is the modern official writing system for the Korean language. The le ...
: 박민혁) — idol.
*
Ateez Seonghwa (Real Name: ''Park Seong-hwa'',
Hangul
The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, . Hangul may also be written as following South Korea's standard Romanization. ( ) in South Korea and Chosŏn'gŭl in North Korea, is the modern official writing system for the Korean language. The le ...
: 박성화) - idol.
*
GreatGuys
GreatGuys () is a South Korean boy band signed to DNA Entertainment. The group consists of nine members: Jaei, Uiyeon, Horyeong, Daun, Baekgyeol, Donghwi, Hwalchan, Haneul, and Dongin. The nonet debuted on August 25, 2017, with the single "Last ...
Horyeong (Real Name: ''Jeong Yeong-ki'',
Hangul
The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, . Hangul may also be written as following South Korea's standard Romanization. ( ) in South Korea and Chosŏn'gŭl in North Korea, is the modern official writing system for the Korean language. The le ...
: 정영기) - idol.
See also
*
List of cities in South Korea
The largest cities of South Korea have an autonomous status equivalent to that of provinces. Seoul, the largest city and capital, is classified as a ''teukbyeolsi'' ( Special City), while the next six-largest cities are classified as ''gwangye ...
References
External links
City government websiteNongae FestivalHumans of Jinju : A photographic census of Jinju City
{{Authority control
Cities in South Gyeongsang Province