Bucheon Explained

Bucheon
Native Name:Korean: 부천시
Translit Lang1:Korean
Settlement Type:Specific city
Translit Lang1 Type1:Hangul
Translit Lang1 Info1:Korean: 부천시
Translit Lang1 Type2:Hanja
Translit Lang1 Info2:Korean: {{linktext|富|川|市
Translit Lang1 Info3:Bucheon-si
Translit Lang1 Info4:Puch'ŏn-si
Mapsize1:120
Map Caption1:Municipal Districts of Bucheon
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Gyeonggi Province (Sudogwon)
Population Blank1 Title:Dialect
Population Blank1:Gyeonggi
Elevation M:16
Area Total Km2:53.44
Population As Of:July 31, 2016
Population Total:848,123
Population Density Km2:16660.78
Parts Type:Administrative divisions
Parts:10 dong
Blank Emblem Type:Emblem of Bucheon
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:14400-14899
Area Code:(+82)-32-6xx
Website:www.Bucheon.go.kr
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Cho Yong-ik
Leader Party:Democratic
Coordinates:37.5°N 173°W
Flag Size:140px

Bucheon (pronounced as /ko/) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Bucheon is located 25km (16miles) away from Seoul, of which it is a satellite city.[1] It is located between Incheon and Seoul.

Bucheon is the second most densely populated city in South Korea after Seoul,[2] and as a result, administrative districts were abolished in July 2016 in favor of providing greater public service in community centers.[2]

Major manufacturing operations are located in the northern areas of the city, while the areas in the south where Seoul Subway Line 7 and Seoul Subway Line 1 pass are dense commercial and residential areas.

History

In 1914, the outer areas of Incheon City (including Gwangyo-dong, old Incheon's city center) and Bupyeong County were joined under the name Bucheon. In 1931, Gyenam township (myeon, 계남면) was renamed Sosa township (myeon, 소사면). In 1936, the westernmost part of Bucheon, then part of old Incheon, was incorporated in Incheon City and in 1940 some other part of old Incheon belonging to Bucheon Country was incorporated in Incheon again while part of old Bupyeong was annexed to Incheon at the same time. In 1941, Sosa township promoted to eup (town) status.[3]

On January 1, 1963, when the great expansion of Seoul was implemented, several districts were combined to Yeongdeungpo-gu (영등포구) of Seoul Metropolitan City as below.[4]

Old districts New districts
Ojeong-myeon Ogok-ri and Osoe-ri Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul Ogok-ri, Osoe-ri, Hang-ri, Onsu-ri, Gung-ri, Cheonwang-ri, Oryu-ri, Gaebong-ri and Gocheok-ri
Sosa-eup Hang-ri, Onsu-ri, Gung-ri, Cheonwang-ri, Oryu-ri, Gaebong-ri and Gocheok-ri
In 1988, two districts were established. Bucheon was divided into Nam-gu ("south",) and Jung-gu ("central",) along the Seoul-Incheon trainline. Present day Sosa-gu was formerly called Nam-gu.

In 1993, Bucheon's Jung-gu was separated into two further districts, forming Wonmi and Ojeong Districts.

The three districts were abolished in July 2016 as Bucheon decided to become a unified city without any administrative districts.[5]

Arts and education

Bucheon promotes itself as the cultural centre of the Seoul Metropolitan Area. The Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra is located there, an annual international film festival is held in July called the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival or BiFan, and an annual international bboy competition called Bucheon Bboy International Championship (BBIC) held by Jinjo Crew since 2016.

Bucheon's institutions of higher education include: Bucheon College, Yuhan College, Catholic University of Korea Bucheon campus, and Seoul Theological University.

The city was designated "City of Literature" and has been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network since 2017.[6]

Festival

YearWinnerRunner UpSemi FinalistsQuarter Finalists
2016 Gamblerz Body Carnival
  • Drifterz
  • Knucklehead Zoo
  • Red Bull BC One All-Stars
  • Predatorz
  • Skechers All-Stars
  • The Ruggeds
2017 Vagabonds Red Bull BC One All-Stars
  • Flooriorz
  • Gamblerz
  • Polskee Flavou
  • Team China
  • K-Rookiez
  • Navi
2018 Team Europe

Transportation

Bucheon has an extensive bus network of local and area buses that connect the city to Seoul, Incheon and other surrounding cities. Bucheon Bus Terminal has buses connecting to different cities and provinces throughout the country. The Seoul Subway System Line 1 and Line 7 runs through Bucheon. There are currently five stations in Seoul Subway Line Line 1 within Bucheon City, including Bucheon Station and Songnae Station, and seven stations in the Line 7, including Kkachiul, Bucheon Stadium, Chunui, Sinjung-dong, Bucheon City Hall, and Sang-dong, which continues through Incheon ending at Bupyeong Station.

Bucheon has currently two subway lines under construction. The Sosa-Wonsi Line will open in 2018, connecting Bucheon's Sosa Station of the Line 1 with Ansan's Choji Station of Seoul Subway Line 4. The Daegok-Sosa Line will open in 2022, connecting with the Sosa-Wonsi Line as a single line. It will provide subway service in the northern area of Bucheon and connect the city to Gimpo International Airport Station where transfers to Seoul Subway Line 5, Seoul Subway Line 9, AREX and Gimpo Goldline will be available. The line terminates at Daegok station in Goyang, which offers a transfer to Seoul Subway Line 3 and Gyeongui-Jungang Line.

In addition, the city is getting a completely new subway line in the future which will connect Bucheon's northern Wonjeong area to Hongik University Station.[8]

Religion

There are a number of churches in Bucheon, including a Full Gospel Church near Lotte Department Store and the English-language "Bucheon Onnuri English Ministry" (BOEM)[9] in Sang Dong. There is also a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located a short ways north of Bucheon Station. Evangelism and mission is a key expression of Christianity in the Bucheon churches. There is also Seogwangsa Temple, beside Weonmisan Mountain.

Notable people

Sports

Bucheon is home to the K League 2 football team Bucheon FC 1995 and the Women's Korean Basketball League women's basketball team Bucheon Hana 1Q.

See also

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in South Korea. Bucheon is twinned with:[10]

Friendship cities

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: 3.Urbanization and its Impact on Seoul, Korea. https://web.archive.org/web/20140630012653/http://ngo.cier.edu.tw/policy/2.3.pdf. dead. 2014-06-30. Urbanization, East Asia and Habitat II. Ian Douglas, Shu-Li Huang. Hae Un Rii, Jae-Seob Ahn. 2016-02-17. Taiwan NGO Professionalization Watch.
  2. Web site: http://news.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20160516000533 . ko:부천시, 상동 영상단지 내 초대형 신세계 복합쇼핑몰 건립 ‘논란’… 시민단체 ‘반발’. 16 May 2016.
  3. Web site: ★ 꿈을 이루는 도시 - 부천시 홈페이지입니다 ★ . 2008-01-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20041214042601/http://bucheon.go.kr/participation/guide/city_history/WEB_XXXX_History02.asp . 2004-12-14 . Official page of Bucheon city(Korean)
  4. Alteration of regions concerning Seoul, provinces, counties and districts(1962-11-21)
  5. Web site: http://www.incheonilbo.com/?mod=news&act=articleView&idxno=716745 . ko:부천시 '구 폐지' 효과 벌써 벤치마킹. 13 July 2016.
  6. News: Bucheon becomes UNESCO City of Literature. Yonhap News Agency. 2018-10-03. en.
  7. News: [Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea]. 2018-06-01. 2018-06-03. en.
  8. Web site: http://news1.kr/articles/?2696904 . ko:국토부, 부천 원종~서울 홍대입구 광역철도 최종 확정. 21 June 2016.
  9. Web site: BOEM. BOEM.
  10. Web site: International & Domestic Exchange. bucheon.go.kr. Bucheon. 2020-04-14.