Yeosu Explained

Yeosu
Native Name:	Korean: 여수시
Settlement Type:	Municipal city
Translit Lang1:	Korean
Translit Lang1 Type1:	Hangul
Translit Lang1 Info1:	Korean: 여수시
Translit Lang1 Type2:	Hanja
Translit Lang1 Info2:	Korean: {{linktext|麗|水|市
Translit Lang1 Info3:	Yeosu-si
Translit Lang1 Info4:	Yŏsu-si
Subdivision Type:	Country
Subdivision Name:	South Korea
Subdivision Type1:	Region
Subdivision Name1:	Honam
Population Blank1 Title:	Dialect
Population Blank1:	Jeolla
Area Total Km2:	503.33
Population As Of:	November,2022
Population Total:	274,917
Population Density Km2:	auto
Leader Title:	Mayor
Leader Name:	Jeong Gi-myeong (정기명)
Parts Type:	Administrative divisions
Parts:	1 eup, 6 myeon, 20 dong
Area Code:	+82-61-6xx
Image Blank Emblem:	Yeosu logo.gif
Blank Emblem Type:	Emblem of Yeosu
Timezone1:	Korea Standard Time
Utc Offset1:	+9

Yeosu (; pronounced as /ko/), formerly romanized as Yosu, is the second largest city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. In 1998, the Old Yeosu City, Yeocheon City and Yeocheon County were merged and the current city, Yeosu, was formed.

Characteristics

The city of Yeosu consists of the Yeosu peninsula as well as 365 islands^[1] (48 inhabited, 317 uninhabited). Being midway along the southern coast of South Korea, it is flanked by Namhae County in South Gyeongsang Province to the east with a natural waterway, and the Bay of Suncheon to the west and northwest, the city of Suncheon sprawling along its banks. On 1 April 1998, the cities of Yeosu and Yeocheon, along with Yeocheon County merged to form the unified city of Yeosu.

It has a number of islands in its jurisdiction, including the uninhabited Janggundo,^[2] Dolsando,^[3] and the park island Jangdo.^[4]

History

Wonchon-hyeon/Dolsan-hyeon was the name given to Yeosu in the 16th year of King Seong (538 AD) who was the king of Baekje Kingdom. The name changed to Haeub-hyeon/Yeosan-hyeon in 757 and to Yeosu-hyeon/Dolsan-hyeon in 940. Beginning in 1479, the Joseon Dynasty's Naval Headquarters for eastern sector of Jeolla Province was located there. As such, it was the first base where Admiral Yi Sun-sin's fleet was based during the Imjin War which used the Turtle Ship or 'Kobukseon' which was built in Seon-so.^[5]

In 1897, Yeosu was renamed Yeosu-myeon and included in the new county of Yeosu-gun. It was renamed Reisui during the Japanese rule over the Korean peninsula. In 1914, Yeosu-gun merged with Dolsan-gun, further increasing its territory. Yeosu-myeon continued to grow and in 1931, Yeosu-myeon became Yeosu-eup. In 1949, Yeosu became a city. In 1998, Yeosu city merged with Yeochon city and Yeochon-gun, creating the unified city of Yeosu.

Yeosu-si, Yeocheon-si, and Yeocheon-gun were merged into Yeosu-si on April 1, 1998. The former Yeocheon City Hall was divided into two buildings and the former Yeocheon County Office into three buildings.

Yeosu Rebellion

See main article: Yeosu–Suncheon Rebellion.

In October 1948, the town of Yeosu was taken by South Korean soldiers who refused to take part in the suppression of the ongoing Jeju Uprising.

Recent history

On December 25, 1920, Yeosu Station started to operate as a railway that connects Yeosu and Gwangju. On October 1, 2011, however, the station was relocated to Deokchung-dong and renamed Yeosu Expo station, as the venue served for Yeosu World Expo in 2012.

In the 142nd General Assembly of BIE, held in Paris on 26 November 2007, the global community selected Yeosu as the host city for the 2012 World Expo. This was Korea's second World Expo, following Daejeon's 1993 Fair.

Festivals

Hyangiram Sunrise Festival (여수향일암일출제) is an annual festival that begins on New Year’s Eve. It takes place at Hyangiram Hermitage, a historical building that was built in 644. The word “Hyangiram” itself refers to “a hermitage facing the sun”, in which visitors could view the breathtaking panorama of sunrise over the horizon. The festival consists of other activities and cultural events such as fireworks, folk street music, and lighting of wishes.

Attractions

• Hyangiram Hermitage is a Buddhist temple that was first built by the monk Wonhyo in 644.^[6]
• The Yeosu Maritime Cable Car is an aerial tramway that goes between the island Dolsando and the mainland.^{[7] [8]}
• Yeongchwisan is a culturally important mountain in the city. There are two Buddhist Temples on the mountain: Geumseongdae and Dosolam Hermitage, where ritual ceremonies and prayers were held during ancient days. Also known for its azalea flower blossoms, an azalea festival is held annually on the mountain in April during spring.

• In the harbour there is a full-size model of one of Admiral Yi's turtle ships, which are timber shelled vessels that were used with great success against the Japanese navy.
• Manseongri Beach near Yeosu has volcanic 'black' sand and is popular with Korean tourists. Recently, the famous Korean band Busker Busker made a song based on Manseongri Beach's night view. This popularised the site with Korean tourists.^[9] There are public showers and restrooms as well as on-duty lifeguards. Many restaurants located along the beach have beach-side tables and serve various seafood dishes. It is possible to take ferries to many of the local islands for an authentic taste of rural Korean food.
• Dolsan Bridge has changing lights at night. It is a 450adj=midNaNadj=mid bridge connecting downtown Yeosu with Dolsan Island.
• A number of parks exist in the city, including Yi Sun-sin Park,^[10] Dolsan Park,^[11] and Geobukseon Park.^[12]
• The island Odongdo has many camellia flowers. There are 70 species of wild flowers there. A small population of local finless porpoises are present here.^[13]

• Big-O show is a famous show in Yeosu which features an ocean fountain event and a hologram show.^[14] The show consists of three parts. The fountain spouts in accordance with classic and jazz music. Unique to this fountain is a large round steel frame at its centre.
• The Ocean Resort is home to Yeosu's only waterpark. It offers condominium-style rooms and other facilities. Located in Soho-dong, the resort overlooks the yacht marina.^[15]
• Hanhwa Aqua Planet is a large aquarium.
• Ungcheon Beach Park allows both swimming and camping for much of the year.^{[16] [17]}
• Yeosu Hamel Museum: In 1668, Hamel published an article about his special experiences in Korea titled "Hamel's Journal and a Description of the Kingdom of Korea 1653-1666." This is the first article to introduce Korea to Europeans. A copy of the diary is now on display in the museum.^[18]

Local specialities

Gejang, or marinated raw crab is a representative speciality of Yeosu and a traditional Jeolla cuisine dish.^[19]

Yeosu is known for its Gat-kimchi, which is made from mustard greens, that was developed in the Yeosu town Dolsan.^[20]

Population

Yeosu has a population of 282,946 as of May 2019.

Climate

Yeosu has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa) with very warm summers and cold winters. Rainfall is much heavier in the summer, with June to August recording over 200mm of rainfall per month. The highest temperature ever recorded is 37.1C on 20 July 1994^[21] while the lowest temperature ever recorded is -12.6C on 16 February 1977.^[22]

Sister cities

• Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
• Karatsu, Saga, Japan
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia^[23]
• Sikeston, Missouri, United States
• Vanino, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia
• Weihai, Shandong, China
• Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
• Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
• Lishui, Zhejiang, China
• Cebu City, Philippines
• Belize City, Belize
• Seward, Alaska, United States of America^[24]

Notable people

• Maangchi, Korean-American YouTuber and author
• Dohee, singer, dancer, actress and K-pop idol, former member of K-pop girlgroup Tiny-G
• Earl Lee, Korean-Canadian conductor and cellist^[25]

See also

• List of cities in South Korea
• Korea2012 Yeosu Expo

External links

• City government
• "Yeosu New North Port Wave Organ"

34.7333°N 171°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Yeosu . Inside Asia Tours . insideasiatours.com . 2024-07-03 .
2. Web site: 2022-04-07 . 가깝고 아득한 섬, 역사 유적지 여수 장군도 . 2023-09-28 . 오마이뉴스 . ko.
3. Web site: 돌산도 (突山島) . 2023-09-28 . . ko.
4. Web site: 웅천장도공원 - 디지털여수문화대전 . 2023-09-28 . Encyclopedia of Korean Local Culture.
5. Web site: Kobukseon. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150325141358/https://mirror.enha.kr/wiki/%EA%B1%B0%EB%B6%81%EC%84%A0. 25 March 2015.
6. Web site: Shim . Hyun-chul . 2008-04-17 . Hyangiram Hermitage . 2023-09-28 . The Korea Times . en.
7. Web site: 여수해상케이블카 . 2023-09-28 . yeosucablecar.com . en.
8. http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FU/FU_EN_15.jsp?cid=1972439 .VisitKorea.
9. News: 손. 봉석. ko:버스커버스커가 직접 그린 '여수밤바다' 그림 화제. http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201206191627231&code=960100. 29 March 2017. 경향신문. 12 June 2012. 22 June 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120622075651/http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201206191627231&code=960100. live.
10. Web site: 이순신공원 - 디지털여수문화대전 . 2023-09-28 . Encyclopedia of Korean Local Culture.
11. Web site: 박 . 종길 . 돌산공원 - 디지털여수문화대전 . 2023-09-28 . Encyclopedia of Korean Local Culture.
12. Web site: 거북선공원 - 디지털여수문화대전 . 2023-10-01 . Encyclopedia of Korean Local Culture.
13. Web site: 황주찬. 2014. ko:낚시꾼들에겐 찬밥이지만 '귀하신' 몸입니다. http://blog.ohmynews.com/yshjc/521864. https://archive.today/20150115123556/http://blog.ohmynews.com/yshjc/521864. dead. 15 January 2015. 2015-01-11.
14. Web site: http://bigo.expo2012.kr/. ko:빅오쇼. bigo.expo2012.kr. 22 March 2016. 25 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160325051306/http://bigo.expo2012.kr/. live.
15. Web site: 디오션리조트 . 13 January 2020 . 27 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200127111341/http://theoceanresort.co.kr/intro.do . live .
16. Web site: 여수관광문화 > 관광명소 > 섬/해변 > 의 "웅천친수공원" 게시물 상세보기 . 2023-10-02 . 여수관광문화 . ko.
17. Web site: 고캠핑 . 2023-10-02 . www.gocamping.or.kr . ko.
18. News: March 10, 2022 . Pioneering spirit of Hamel . The Korea Times.
19. News: Moon. Gwang-lip. Traditional cuisines to savor at the World Fair. 22 May 2013. Joongang Daily. 14 July 2012. usurped. https://archive.today/20130616123705/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2956133. 16 June 2013.
20. Web site: Maangchi . Mustard greens kimchi (Gat-kimchi: 갓김치) recipe by Maangchi . 2023-09-28 . en-US.
21. Web site: http://www.kma.go.kr/weather/climate/extreme_daily.jsp?type=max_temp&mm=13&x=18&y=9 . ko:기후자료 극값(최대값) 전체년도 일최고기온 (°C) 최고순위, 여수(168). Korea Meteorological Administration. 12 January 2017. ko. 21 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200521111000/http://www.weather.go.kr/weather/climate/extreme_daily.jsp?type=max_temp&mm=13&x=18&y=9. live.
22. Web site: http://www.kma.go.kr/weather/climate/extreme_daily.jsp?type=min_temp&mm=13&x=25&y=5 . ko:기후자료 극값(최대값) 전체년도 일최저기온 (°C) 최고순위, 여수(168). Korea Meteorological Administration. 12 January 2017. ko. 28 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200328212159/http://www.kma.go.kr/weather/climate/extreme_daily.jsp?type=min_temp&mm=13&x=25&y=5. live.
23. Web site: KK-Portland sister city pact could see US craft beer coming to Sabah. Julia Chan. Malay Mail. 20 March 2015. 21 March 2015. 23 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151023200700/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/kk-portland-sister-city-pact-could-see-us-craft-beer-coming-to-sabah. live.
24. Web site: Sister Partnerships by US State – Asia Matters for America . 9 January 2020 . 13 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200113144354/https://asiamattersforamerica.org/asia/data/sister-partnerships . live .
25. Web site: Earl Lee, YIMFE Conductor . 2024-05-21 . yimfe . en.