• Official Kunsan City site (English)
  Address: 888 Chochun Dong,
  Kunsan City, Chollabuk Province 753-703
  (Tel : 0654-450-4000)
  • Mayor and City Administration (English)
  • Industry and Economy (English)
  • Tourism and Festivals (English)

Kunjang and Saemangun Project:

KunJang Project Janghang Port

Saemangun Project Gogunsan Archipelago

The world's longest embankment at 33km is being constructed. A tidal flat reclamation project of 120,000,000 pyong is underway. The City will also expand its industrial complex on approximately 40 million pyongs of land designated specifically for industrial complexes. In addition, the construction of new Kunsan port facitilities and the construction of an artificial island in the harbor is underway. (Go to Kunjang Project for more details. Go to Saengmangeum Project Protest for details of the environmental protest.)

Downtown Area:

Kunsan City Inner Port Area

Downtown area

Downtown Shopping Mall area (Young Dong) (From Korea Jobs)	Downtown Shopping Mall area (Young Dong) (From J.C. Bernie)
Downtown Shopping Mall area (Young Dong) (From Korea Jobs)	Downtown Main Street (Young Dong) (From J.C. Bernie)
Kunsan Street (Yeong Hwa Dong) (From J.C. Bernie)	Dancing Girls Promo (Taehak-ro) (From J.C. Bernie)
Typical Fish Market scene (From Korea Jobs)	Mr. Lucky's (Yeong-Hwa Dong) (From J.C. Bernie)

The downtown Young-Dong shopping area are mainly small clothing shops. Towards the harbor side are the hardware and electrical shops. Yeong-hwa dong used to be the exclusive GI shopping/bar area, but has since fallen on hard times as the Americans no longer buy much. In the Yeong-hwa dong area, an enclosed Mall is being constructed on the site of the Old City Hall (Gu Shi-chung). On the north side of town, there is the "E-mart" department store whose prices rival most small shops. Remember that the discount store concept is relatively new to Korea having been introduced only ten years ago.

Kunsan Women's Commercial High school Iksan Jewelry Factory

Korean National Railway Korean National Railway

Getting to Kunsan:

Airline Routes

Railway Routes Click on Map to enlarge

Kunsan AB F-16

Kunsan Airport

1. Airlines
Route	Airline Number KE: Korea Airlines OZ: Asian Airlines	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Schedule
Kunsan-Seoul (Prices may vary: 36,500-39,500 won)	KE1322	10:10	11:05	Every Day -- Except Saturday
Kunsan-Seoul	KE1322	10:15	11:00	Saturday
Kunsan-Seoul	OZ762	19:30	20:20	Every Day
Kunsan-Seoul	KE1324	20:30	21:20	Every Day
Seoul-Kunsan	OZ761	18:10	19:00	Every Day
Seoul-Kunsan	KE1321	11:45	12:35	Every Day
Seoul-Kunsan	KE1323	19:10	20:00	Every Day
Kunsan-Cheju	KE1911	13:05	14:00	Every Day
Kunsan-Cheju	KE1913	19:20	20:15	Every Day
Cheju-Kunsan	KE1912	08:50	09:40	Every Day
Cheju-Kunsan	KE1914	18:00	18:50	Every Day

2. Train Schedule
Route	Service Schedule
Kunsan-Iksan	07:05-07:31 - 09:30-10:01 - 12:10-12:41 - 17:35-18:06 - 18:35-19:06 - 20:25-20:56 - 22:25-22:56 (Tongiho)
Kunsan-Iksan-Chonju	07:05-07:36-08:41 - 12:10-12:41-13:46 - 17:35-18:06-19:11 - 18:35-19:06-20:11 (Tongiho)
Iksan-Seoul	00:09-21:16 (41 Times)
Seoul-Iksan	00:05-23:50 (36 Times)
Janghang-Seoul	05:55-20:10 (14 Times)
Seoul-Janghang	06:30-19:50 (13 Times)

3. Express Bus
Grades	Service Intervals	Service Schedule	Times Per Day
Top Grades: 14,000 Won	15-30 minutes	06:00-19:20 (Night: 22:30)	17
Ordinary Grade: 9,500 won	15-40 minutes	06:40-19:40	15

4. Cross-country Bus
Routes	Service Intervals	Service Schedule	Times Per Day
Kunsan-Jeonju	7 minutes	06:10-22:20	124
Kunsan-Kwangju	30 minutes	06:40-20:40	21
Kunsan-Taejon	30 minutes	07:35-19:20	24
Kunsan-Janghang	30 minutes	07:00-20:00	40
Kunsan-Jeongeup	32 minutes	06:30-19:50	21
Kunsan-Iksan	5 minutes	06:50-22:40	169
Kunsan-Kimje	20 minutes	06:50-21:45	48

Kunsan Harbor:

Kunsan Harbor (1995) Kunsan Harbor (1995) Kunsan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Kunsan Customs House

Kumgang River, Downtown area, Okku

Gu-Choson Bank

Gu-Janggi Bank (1907)

Many buildings from the Japanese era have been designated historical markers. Near the inner port, the Kunsan Customs House is located. Built in 1906 it has been designated as a Provincial Memorial No. 87. Also there are the former Japanese bank buildings in the inner port area -- the Gu-Choson bank and the Gu-Janggi Bank (formerly the Nakasaki Juhachi Bank built in 1907). These were used by the American forces during the Occupation and Korean War by the American soldiers operating the Port facilities. The reason was that they were the only structures of any quality at that time. Other buildings used by U.S. troops were the Women's Hall annex and the KCCI building.

Kumgang Dam Bridge, Taeya, Impi, Iksan

Kokunsan Archipelago:

Kogunsan Islands Sunyou-do Island Skin Diving

Gogunsan Archipelago

The Gogunsan Archipelago is made up of about 20 small and large islands centered on Sonyu island famous for its legend of immortals. Located 43.2km southwest of Kunsan, it is famous for sunbathing, sea fishing, ship cruises, and its fabulous sunsets. The Rock of Grandmother on Changja-do Island tells the legend of the Changia grandmother who was hardened as a rock while awaiting her husband returning from the highest government examination. Sea fishing is very popular at Ochong-do and Bangchuk-do Islands.

Sunyu-do is located at the center of the twenty islands of the Kogunsan Archipelago, about 50m far from Mt. Kun, known as the most beautiful island in this area. Especially in summer, many people visit here to vacation to appreciate Sonyu's wonderful scenery. These include the Myongsaripri which has sea water of clear cobalt blue, Sonyu Nakjo (means "the glow of the setting sun"), Pyongsanakan, Mangjupukpo, Samdokwibom, Changjaohwa, Wolyongdanpung, and Musan's 12 peaks.

Wolmyong Park:

Kunsan Flame (Susi Tower) Kunsan Soldier's Memorial Chae Man-sik Memorial Cave

Wolmyong Park Susi Tower; Maritime Sculpture Park; Tower of the Royal Dead (Eunpa Resort), Chae Man-sik Memorial

The waterfront area has been cleared and holds the annual Sea Food Festival. Near the waterfront is the Baeknyeon (hundred years) Century Plaza which was built in 1999 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the opening of the harbor.

Wolmyong Park has two paths leading up to the top of the park. The 6km long walkway and jogging course has a panoramic view of Changhang across the harbor. The path winds its way up past the Soldiers Memorial and past the Kunsan Flame (Susi Tower) -- built in memory of the 1919 Independence Movement. The path passes the Maritime Sculpture Park which has rest areas for viewing the harbor scenes. The Sculpture Park is a favorite place for summer picnics with its art objects, shaded areas and picturesque views of the harbor and city. The path continues up past the Chae Man-sik Memorial and to the Playground. From there it continues down past the Youth Hall and along a picturesque path that winds down the hills and ends up at Eunjaksa Temple.

Outer Port and Kunsan Industrial Complex:

Kunsan National Industrial Complex Industrial Area factory

Kunsan Outer Port Kunsan Job Training Institute

Daewoo Truck Plant (1995)

The Kunsan Industrial Complex is a large area built on reclaimed ground from the tidal flats. The first major company to open in the area was the Daewoo automobile plant. Due setbacks created by the IMF and subsequent company restructurings, there has been some labor troubles in the area. (Go to Kunsan Aims to Foster Trade Hub of Far East Asia for more information.)

Outer Port

Map of Outer Port Click on Map to enlarge

Outer Port View (POL)
(From John Serre)
Click on Image to enlarge

Outer Port View
(From John Serre)
Click on Image to enlarge

Eunpa Resort Area:

Wind Surfing Monument at Eunpa Resort Area Kunsan Apartments

Outer Port, Eunpa Resort Area

The Eunpa Resort Area has various amusement facilities. In the past, restaurants were located over the water, but now are being relocated to only the shoreside because of environmental concerns. The Lake Eunpa (actually a reservoir) has paddle boats that are quite popular in the summer months. About 5Km away from the downtown.

The entrance is lined with cherry trees. During spring (April), the cherry blossoms form a canopy. The hills which surround the lake are filled with exercise trails. The road goes completely around the lake so that there's plenty of space for family picnics in the spring and summer.

Kunjang (Castle) Wedding Hall across from Eunpa Resort Area

The area across from the Eunpa entrance has two wedding halls. The Kunjang Wedding Hall has an all-you-can-eat buffet with Korean and American food. Many Americans frequent these buffets as they offer western foods at inexpensive cost. The Eunpa resort area is filled with many restaurants each specializing in their own special brands of Korean dishes.

Wongkwang Hospital
in Naundong

The new Wonkwan University Hospital is being built in the Naundong area to replace the old Kunsan Hospital in the downtown area.

Kumgang Estuary Dam:

Kumgang Estuary Dam Kumgang Estuary	Kumgang Estuary Dam
Above Kumgang Estuary Dam	Observatory on Hill

The large dam with a total length of 1,841m, connects Kunsan, Chonbuk province and Changhang, Chongbuk province. The total length is 4 km long. The Kumgang Estuary Dam park features the Jinpo Victory Memorial and a large grassy plaza. There are covered pavillions for picnicking during the summer months. The dam is a favorite spot during the hottest days of summer to cool off at night.

Nearby there is a bird sanctuary where thousands of migrating birds flock to in the winter, including swans, snipes and black-headed plovers. There are plans to turn the area into an ecological park. The Kumgang migratory Watchtower is the starting area for a short trip. Birds that can possibly be seen are: Little Grebe, Whisling Swan, Whooper Swan, Swan Goose, Bean Goose, Common Shelduck, Shoveller, Teal, Baikal Teal, Falcated Teal, Pintail, Wigeon, Pochard, Common Goldeneye, Kestrel, Tufted Duck, Slaty-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-tailed Gull, Gull, Saunder's Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lapwing, Eurasion Curlew, Brown-eared Bulbul, White Wagtail, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Siberian Meadow Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Coot, Common Kingfisher, Spot-billed Duck. There is also the Mankyong River estuary in Okku for bird watching also.

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Chae Man-sik:

Chae Man-sik (1902-1950)

Peace Under Heaven

Chae Man-Sik's Books

Chae Man-Sik was Kunsan's first famous novelist and his works have been translated into English. He depicted the 1930's social life of Kunsan in this novel, "Muddy Stream." The Chae Man-sik Memorial Library is constructed on the Kunsan side near the Kumgang Estuary Dam.

Chae Man-Sik Memorial Library

The newly-constructed Chae Man-sik Memorial Library is nearby. Located on the banks of the Kumgang River near the Kumgang Estuary Dam, it has a spectacular view of the harbor.

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Wolmyong Sports Center:

Chungang Girls Middle School Performance Wolmyong Stadium: Composite Art Festival

Cherry Blossom Festival

At the Wolmyong Sports Complex, many civic activities are held in the multiple stadiums. The large Auditorium has a swimming pool below.

Wolmyong Sports Complex: Baseball Stadium Wolmyong Main Stadium Wolmyong Sports Complex

Wolmyong Stadium Main Hall Wolmyong Tennis Courts Wolmyong Swimming Pool

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Kunsan Activities:

The cherry trees are in full bloom in late April - early May is a spectacular sight. Chon-Kun Road (Beonyun-ro) has cherry trees are planted along the road's 40Km length. The ride to Chonju from Kunsan is brilliant with color. At Eunpa, there are also cherry blossoms the line the avenue and form a canopy as you enter the Resort area. The Cherry Blossom festival is a good excuse to sip some soju in the many "pojang-macha" (tent houses) that spring up and enjoy the blossoms in the moonlight.

Cherry Blossoms

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The movies were first brought to Kunsan between 1920-1924. The movie theaters remained very primitive -- small and cramped -- till recent times. There are currently five theaters in Kunsan with the largest seating 787. In addition to these, the Civic Center and KBS also provide special children movies at times at discount rates for the kids.

Cinema: Movie Theater

There are of course, bowling alleys everywhere. Korean bowling alleys tend to be smaller in the sense of "elbow room" but are regulation. They are easily found by looking for a two-story bowling pin.

There are always cultural activities going on whether traditional music or arts or something contemporary or classical. The center of the cultural activity is the Civic Center located in Naun-dong. The spacious hall provides a wide variety of cultural events. Beneath the Civic Center is the Art Hall Gallery which provides a wide variety of exhibits from photography to paintings.

Kunsan Civic Center

Civic Center Art Hall

The city also has its own City Chorus and City Symphony that performs for the public.

City Chorus

City Symphony

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Osong Mountain:

Para-gliding Songsan-myon Five Sages Rite Songsan-myon Five Sages Rite Songsan-myon

Osong Mountain

Osong Mountain in Songsan-myon also houses the Tapdong three-story stone pagoda which is Local treasure No. 66. This is a representative stone pagoda that followed the Paekche pagoda style. There were originally two pagodas. The male general army pagoda was destroyed long ago and just the female general army pagoda remains. Also on the mountain are the Five Sages (Wisemen) Graves who resisted the Shilla advance on the Paekche and were killed for their actions. In the 20th year (660AD) of Paekje King Uicha, when the allied army of Shilla Kingdom and Tang (China) invaded the Paekje Kingdom. The Tang General Su with his 130,000 men came and were stationed around Osong Mountain at the mouth of Kum River, but due to the thick fog, they lost their way. Being at a loss, they happened to meet five old men and asked the way leading to Sabi castle (the capital of Pakje). The five old men resisted and said, "You came to invade our land, how do you expect us to tell you the way." Upon hearing what they said, General Su got highly indignant and murdered them cruelly.

Osong Mountain top

Osong Cultural Festival has been held since 1992 in order to commemorate the loyalty of the five old men and that of Paekje people. At the beginning of October every year, at the tombs of five sages on the top of Osong Mountain, 227 meters above sea level, the memorial service for the five sages is held in a Confucian rite. Thereafter, various cultural art events are held throughout the city, mainly Samulnori and Pansori singing events.

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Temple Assets:

Stone Lantern, Balsanri Near Balsan Elem Schl Near Gen Choi Shrine 5 story Pagoda, Balsanri Near Gen Choi Shrine Dongguk-sa (1913) Near Wolmyong Park

Temples and Cultural Assets

The Stone Lantern (Balsan-ri, Kaejong-myon) is Treasure No. 234. Animal figured bamboo-hat type stone lantern is adorned with a dragon pattern, and the figure of the lotus flower on the pedestal. This a remains from the Unified Shilla Dynasty period. The five-story stone pagoda (Balsan-ri, Kaejong-myon) is Treasure No. 276. Foundation stone-1st gap consists of four plate stones on an ingraced corner pillar. This is a remains of the Koryo Dynasty period. Dongguk-sa was constructed in 1913 with typical Japanese construction methods so that it could be disassembled.

3-story Pagoda, Juksan-ri Near Yeongjul Near Impi Railroad Stn 3-story Pagoda

Sangju-sa Changsan-ri Nap'o (near Impi) Choon-ui-sa

The Taeungjo of Sangju-sa (Changsang-ri, Nap'o-myon) has been designated as Local Treasure No. 37. The Hyegong great master erected the temple in the 28th year (606) of the Shilla King Chimp'yong. Sangju-sa is located in the depths of a dense forest and is reached by going up a path through a forest about 300m. Designated as the thirty seventh of the local tangible cultural properties, the original structure of the temple shows us the refined long history of one thousand three hundred years'. It is said that King Kongmin prayed the national prosperity and welfare in this temple.

The Taeungjon of Bulchisa is Local tangible cultural property No. 117. This was erected in the age of the Paekche King Eija. Fresco of the Taeungjon was painted with the folk pictures of the Paekche.

Eunjak-sa In Sanbook-dong Eunjak-sa In Sanbook-dong

Stone Lanterns Pagoda

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Cultural Assets:

War Signal Yung-byun-san Kim Haek-Jong's House Yonghwa-dong Example of Japanese architecture Shin-Hung-dong

Kin-nam-jung (1921-1929) Lee Young-choon House (1920) Yonghwa-dong Example of Japanese architecture

No Sung-dang (1855)

Sanang Suhwon Yumui Auditorium

The Shrine of General Choi Ho is local memorial No. 32. The General passed the state examination in the 1576 during the Choson Dynasty. He died in 1597 during the Chilchonryang Sea Battle.

Gen. Choi-Ho

The Chach'ondae is designated as Cultural property No. 116. This is the place where Choi Chi-won studied during the Shilla Dynasty. It is said that his reading voice could be heard as far as the country of Tang.

The Hyanggyo was the local old-time school belonging to the Confucian shrine. The Okku Hyanggyo (Sangpyong-ri, Okku-up) is designated as Cultrual property No. 99. Erected in the 3rd year of the Choson Taejong (1403). The shrine was moved to the Sangpyong-ri in the 15th year of Songjong (1484) and then moved again to the present location in the 24th year of Incho. The Impi Hyanggyo (Upnae-ri, Impi-myon) is designated as the Cultural property No. 95. Erected first at Kyon-dong Chuksan-ri, Impi-myon in the 3rd year of Choson taejong (1403), it was rebuilt in the 36th year of Kukjong (1710). Nosongdang is designated as Local tangible cultural property No. 132. In the middle part of the Yi Dynasty, the loyal retainers and scholars who were set up the Impi market day and appointed persons who set the market prices.

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Introduction to Kunsan:

1. Introduction to Kunsan

Kunsan is situated 25 miles (40 km) west- northwest of the provincial capital, Chonju, and 7.5 miles (12 km) from the mouth of the KumRiver. Due to its western location, Kunsan has had a natural connection to China since ancient times, and served as a conduit for transmitting Paekche culture to Japan. From the time of the Yi dynasty (1392-1910), it was noted as a rice-shipping port, and much of its commercial activities centred on processing, storing, and transporting rice grown on the rich Kum River plain. Its old name was Jinpo. On May 1, 1899, in the third year of King Kojong's "kwangmu" (martial brilliance) reign, Kunsan established itself as a modern, international port. Since its opening as a port city, Kunsan has become a hub of commercial sea trade, transporting rice produced from its inland regions, the granary of Korea. It was one of the top 3 ports, along with Pusan and Inchon, as a place for transporting grains produced in the Honam plain. This city was the 7th port opened in 1899. In 1910, the city was promoted to "Bu". During the local system readjustment after the restoration of independence in 1945, the "Bu" became a city. A thermoelectric plant was constructed in 1945, and paper, lumber, rubber, and plastic industries began to develop. With a population of approximately 300,000 people, Kunsan is nestled on the shores of the picturesque Kumgang River, the gateway between the Yellow Sea and the Kogunsan Archipelago. Kunsan's location and year-round attractions make it a natural tourist destination. A cherry-blossom festival is held each spring along the magnificent 40-km stretch of the Chonju-Kunsan thoroughfare. Summer is a chance to enjoy the scenic beaches surrounding Sonyu-do Island and among the Kogunsan Archipelago. Autumn features the popular Chinp'o Artistic Festival. And the Kumgang River estuary is a winter haven for migratory birds, offering one of the most spectacular sights of the season, birds landing gently on the water. The Imhae industrial complex of 42,000,000 pyong and the Saemangum development project of 120,000,000 pyong are being developed around this region. Facing the West sea area, this area is expected to grow into a major trading center. Kunsan is now poised to become the nerve center of the up-and-coming west coast area, slated for another international harbor and industrial complex. It is located at a Longitude of 126 degree 43 minutes E and 35 degrees 59 minutes N, at a similar latitude to Qingdao, China and Yokohama, Japan. The annual average temperature is 12-13 degrees celcius. Precipitation is 976mm. Its population is 281,437 (as of December 31, 1997). (City bird: sea gull; City flower: camellia flower; City tree: Ginkgo tree)

2. Shopping and Restaurants

	Tourist Attractions
	Shopping street	Located in Youngdong street, Chongangro. Traditional products, antique. jewelry. gifts and clothes.
	Traditional market	Located near the Kunsan train station, Daemyung-dong. Fresh vegetables, fruit, and fish
	Raw fish street	Located around Wolmyung Park, Haemang-dong. Fresh raw fish, including flounder and sea bass
	Marine product market	Located in Haemangdong. From 6 A.M, auctions for fresh fish all year round
	Traditional products and food
	Traditional products	trinkets, antiques, pottery, wooden crafts. Dried seaweed, salted seafood, crab, shellfish, short-necked clam, eels, rice, radish
	Food (Restaurant)	Specialties: Steamed angler (Kyungsanok), rice with crab preserved in soy sauce (Kyegok Garden), roasted sea eel (Dongchon restaurant), steamed prawn/raw fish (Kunsan haigib), beef tray (Kangbanok), angler fish (Chongang restaurant), hot chowder (Bori Madang)

Raw Fish

Raw Fish

Kunsan Insam (Ginseng)

Events

Date

Details

Cherry flower festival

April

Walk down the cherry flower path, Miss Cherry flower festival

Sea King ceremony

May

Kangsinmu, pujongguk, Daenaerimguk

Pung-o ceremony

May

Kangsinmu, pujongguk, Daenaerimguk

Memorial for Gen. Choi Ho

August

Traditional Confucian memorial service

Osong cultural events

August

5 bansangjae, requiem

Festival for citizen

October

Farmer's music, art events, sports

Jinpo Art festival

October

Exhibition, music concert, play, Korean folk

Jinpo Great Victory

October

Jinpo great victory play