| Paju | |
| Native Name: | Korean: 파주시 |
| Settlement Type: | Municipal city |
| Translit Lang1: | Korean |
| Pushpin Map: |
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| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Gyeonggi Province (Sudogwon) |
| Parts Type: | Administrative divisions |
| Parts: | 4 eup, 9 myeon, 10 dong [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 672.78 |
| Population Total: | 520803 [2] |
| Population As Of: | March 2024 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Dialect |
| Population Blank1: | Seoul |
| Leader Title: | mayor |
| Leader Name: | Kyung il Kim (김경일) |
| Translit Lang1 Type1: | Hangul |
| Translit Lang1 Info1: | Korean: 파주시 |
| Translit Lang1 Type2: | Hanja |
| Translit Lang1 Info2: | Korean: {{linktext|坡|州|市 |
| Translit Lang1 Info3: | Paju-si |
| Translit Lang1 Info4: | P'aju-si |
Paju (pronounced as /ko/) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Paju was made a city in 1997; it had previously been a county (gun).[3]
The city area of Paju is 672.78km2,[4] and it is located just south of Panmunjeom on the 38th parallel. In 2024, the population of Paju was over 501,000. To defend the South Korean capital, Seoul, many U.S. and South Korean Army bases are set up in the area.[5] In 2002, the northernmost South Korean railway station, Dorasan, was opened, on Gyeongui Line. North Korean territory and Kaesong City can be seen from Mount Dora in the city.
Cosmos is Paju City's representative of flowers growing wild in Spring. It has very strong vitality, and symbolize unity and harmonious life as a citizen of Paju City. The flowers have different colors, including pale pink and red.
Ginkgos are usually planted as street trees. People can obtain high-quality wood from them. Also, their leaves and fruits are used as a valuable medicine.
Pigeons are meek and gentle with soft feathers which follow humans well. They symbolize the peace and security of mankind, and they mean to desire the unification of the Korean Peninsula and the well-being of citizens.
The badge brings the look of Paju implicitly. Semiconductors, which symbolize high-tech industry, high-quality culture and books, and life based on the shape of the rice industry have represented the badge with the symbol Paju logo.[6]
Paju has east and west low type of geographic trait. Many mountains are located in eastern Paju, assemble to create the border with Yangzhou. In northern Paju, mountains form the border with Goyang. Moreover, in central Paju some lower mountains spread toward south. For the major rivers in Paju, there are Imjin River and Han River. Imjin River flows between northern west and west, and Han River flows in western south of Paju.
Paju has a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate (Köppen: Dwa) with cold, dry winters and hot, rainy summers. The average annual temperature of Paju is 11 °C, the average January temperature is -4.6 °C and the average temperature is 25 °C in August. Lastly, annual precipitation of Paju is around 1,300 mm.
Heyri Art Valley is the largest art village in South Korea and its Korean culture and many genres of art attract visitors. The area includes residences, workrooms and galleries for artists, museums and performance spaces designed by artists. It was planned from 1998 and its name Heyri is derived from a traditional farming song of Paju. Architects tried to combine the view of nature with the valley when they make plan. The valley hosts art performances appealing to audiences of all ages. The attractive theme brings people to visit every weekend, and more people visit the valley in spring and autumn because it holds art festival during the seasons.[7]
Jangdan beans are one of Paju’s famous traditional specialties. From a long time ago, crops have been important for Korean people’s livelihood because their land and environment were suited for agriculture. Therefore, two major crops, rice and bean, have been developed over time. Jangdan bean is one of these crops which have been harvested in Paju. The name Jangdan is derived from the name of a village in Paju, which existed before the Korean War. Even though the village is now gone, people still call the bean the Jangdan bean because the former village was so well known for these beans. Today, Jangdan beans are only commonly seen In Panmunjom which is located at the border between South Korea and North Korea.[8]
The city has 3 polytechnic universities including Doowon Technical University College.
Paju English Village is a huge area which was constructed to teach children English and let them experience western culture. Hundreds of foreign teachers are hired in the village. The educational village pushes ahead various curriculum to provide several educational programs called "English Camp". To attend the programs, children's parents have to pay and send children to the village for several days. The length of the program is depending on the type of program. People also visit the village because of its visual and new cultural atmosphere.[9]
Paju Challengers, an independent baseball team, has been based in the city.
Paju is divided as follows:
The Cemetery for North Korean and Chinese Soldiers was established in 1996 to hold the remains of Korean People's Army and Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers killed during the Korean War.[10] In March 2014 the Chinese remains were repatriated for reburial in Shenyang, China.[11]
Paju is twinned with the following places:[14]