Cheongju

Cheongju (Korean pronunciation: [tsʰʌŋ.dzu]) is the capital and largest city of North Chungcheong Province in South Korea.

For similar names, see Cheongju (disambiguation).

Cheongju
청주시
Specific city
Korean transcription(s)
 • Hangul청주시
 • Hanja淸州市
 • Revised RomanizationCheongju-si
 • McCune-ReischauerCh'ŏngju-si
A front view of Sangdangsanseong
A front view of Sangdangsanseong
Flag of Cheongju
Flag
Official seal of Cheongju
Seal
Anthem: You are so Dynamic
Location in South Korea
Location in South Korea
Coordinates: 36°38′N 127°29′E
Country South Korea
RegionHoseo
First mention940
Founded1946
Administrative divisions4 gu, 30 legal dong, 3 eup, 10 myeon
Government
 • mayorLee Beom-seok (이범석)
Area
 • Total940.3 km2 (363.1 sq mi)
Elevation
39 m (128 ft)
Population
 (October, 2022)
 • Total849,207
 • Density900/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
 • Dialect
Chungcheong
Time zoneUTC+9 (Korea Standard Time)
Postal code
28100~28899
Area code(+82) 43-2xx
Websitecheongju.go.kr/english/index.do

History

Cheongju has been an important provincial town since ancient times. In the Cheongju Mountains, specifically in the one where Sangdang Sanseong is located, ruins dating from the Old Stone Age to the Bronze Age have been found.[1] Settlements associated with the Paleolithic Age have also been discovered at Cheongju such as the Durubong Cave Site.[2]

After the unification of the kingdoms by Shilla in 676, which caused various parts of Korea to adapt Buddhism including Cheongju, because the Shilla culture was connected with the Silk Road, which brought the Buddhist religion from Nepal across Northern China to the Korean Peninsula.[3] In the Goryeo era during the reign of Gwangjong, several monuments related to Buddhism were created, among them are Cheol Danggan, built during the year 962 in the center of the city near the remains of Yongdu Temple, which is a flagpole to hang the Dang flag, which is raised to pay tribute to Buddha.[4] Cheol Danggan was listed as a National Treasure in 1962 by the South Korean government.[4] In the Joseon period, the Cheongju region began to adopt Confucianism as its main religion.[3]

Throughout the history of Cheongju, different temples were established during different periods in the history of the Korean peninsula such as the Buddhist Yonghwasa Temple dating back to the Goryeo period[5] in addition to the Bulguksa Temple established in the 8th century during the Shilla Dynasty period.[6] Cheongju temples were the first places where advances in Korean printing such as book printing were established, and one of these important documents was printed at Heungdeok Temple during the Goryeo Dynasty, specifically during the year 1377.[7]

One of the first schools established in North Chungcheong Province was founded in Cheongju City during 1896.[8] During the Baekje Dynasty period, several tombs were built around the city,[9] in addition to Joseon Dynasty period forts such as Sangdangsanseong, which served to connect the northern and southern provinces after the Japanese invasion of 1592.[10]

In 1593, the Battle of Cheongju took place between Japanese forces and the Joseon kingdom that then ruled the Korean peninsula during the Hideyoshi's Invasions of Korea, in which more than 8,000 Korean warrior monks participated.[11]

The government of the province relocated here from Chungju in 1908. The opening of the Chungbuk-line in 1926 sparked regional development. In 1946, Cheongju and Cheongwon-gun were separated, and in 1949, Cheongju was upgraded to Cheongju City. Afterwards, it went through the separation of administrative dong and their transfer to Cheongwon-gun, with 2 branch offices (East and West) established in July 1989 that were upgraded to Sangdang-gu and Heungdeok-gu in January.[12]

Cheongju experienced one of the largest population growths in Korea, having almost quadrupled its population from 147,000 in 1970 to 582,158 in 2000.[13]

Geography
Cityscape of Cheongju

Geum River goes through the center of Cheongju city. Additionally, the tributaries of Musim and Miho flow together in the northern part of the city. To the east and west, there are the mountains of Wuam and Bumo. Musimcheon River also goes through the middle of Cheongju city.

Climate

Cheongju is a temperate zone, so there are four seasons. The climate is a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dwa), but can be considered a borderline humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa) using the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm.

Climate data for Cheongju (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1967–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.6
(60.1)		 22.1
(71.8)		 25.9
(78.6)		 31.3
(88.3)		 34.5
(94.1)		 35.3
(95.5)		 37.8
(100.0)		 39.1
(102.4)		 34.3
(93.7)		 30.6
(87.1)		 25.1
(77.2)		 18.3
(64.9)		 39.1
(102.4)
Average high °C (°F) 3.4
(38.1)		 6.4
(43.5)		 12.5
(54.5)		 19.6
(67.3)		 24.8
(76.6)		 28.2
(82.8)		 30.0
(86.0)		 30.6
(87.1)		 26.4
(79.5)		 20.7
(69.3)		 13.0
(55.4)		 5.4
(41.7)		 18.4
(65.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) −1.5
(29.3)		 1.0
(33.8)		 6.5
(43.7)		 13.0
(55.4)		 18.7
(65.7)		 23.0
(73.4)		 25.8
(78.4)		 26.2
(79.2)		 21.3
(70.3)		 14.6
(58.3)		 7.5
(45.5)		 0.6
(33.1)		 13.1
(55.6)
Average low °C (°F) −5.8
(21.6)		 −3.8
(25.2)		 1.0
(33.8)		 7.0
(44.6)		 13.1
(55.6)		 18.4
(65.1)		 22.4
(72.3)		 22.6
(72.7)		 17.0
(62.6)		 9.4
(48.9)		 2.6
(36.7)		 −3.7
(25.3)		 8.4
(47.1)
Record low °C (°F) −24.1
(−11.4)		 −26.4
(−15.5)		 −12.5
(9.5)		 −4.8
(23.4)		 2.8
(37.0)		 7.9
(46.2)		 12.3
(54.1)		 12.7
(54.9)		 3.7
(38.7)		 −4.3
(24.3)		 −11.0
(12.2)		 −20.6
(−5.1)		 −26.4
(−15.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 20.6
(0.81)		 29.0
(1.14)		 42.9
(1.69)		 75.5
(2.97)		 82.8
(3.26)		 140.0
(5.51)		 293.8
(11.57)		 274.2
(10.80)		 142.3
(5.60)		 58.0
(2.28)		 46.6
(1.83)		 26.7
(1.05)		 1,232.4
(48.52)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 7.2 6.4 7.8 8.3 8.1 9.4 15.7 14.0 8.7 6.1 8.7 8.8 109.2
Average snowy days 9.1 5.5 2.8 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 2.2 8.5 28.5
Average relative humidity (%) 63.5 58.6 55.6 53.4 57.7 64.5 74.2 73.1 70.6 66.8 65.6 64.9 64.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 166.9 176.9 207.6 220.0 238.8 196.5 150.1 173.1 176.4 204.1 160.6 161.0 2,232
Percent possible sunshine 53.1 55.9 54.0 56.6 53.5 44.6 34.3 42.5 47.6 57.3 51.5 52.4 49.7
Source: Korea Meteorological Administration (percent sunshine 1981–2010)[14][15][16]

Administrative districts

From 1 July 2014, Cheongju and Cheongwon County unified, and administrative districts were changed to the following:

Osong-eup, Gangnae-myeon, Oksan-myeon, Uncheon-dong, Sinbong-dong, Bokdae1-dong, Bokdae2-dong, Gakyeong-dong, Bongmyeong1-dong, Bongmyeong2-dong, Songjeong-dong, Gangseo1-dong, Gangseo2-dong, Ochang-eup

Nami-myeon, Hyeondo-myeon, Sajik1-dong, Sajik2-dong, Sachang-dong, Mochooung-dong, Sugok1-dong, Sugok2-dong, Sannam-dong, Bunpyeong-dong, Seonghwa-dong, Geasin-dong, Jookrim-dong

Nangseong-myeon, Miwon-myeon, Gaduk-myeon, Namil-myeon, Mooni-myeon, Joongang-dong, Seongan-dong, Top-dong, Deasung-dong, Yeongun-dong, Geumcheon-dong, Yongam-dong, Myeongam-dong, Sinsung-dong, Yongam1-dong, Yongam2-dong

Nesoo-eup, Buki-myeon, Wooam-dong, Neduk1-dong, Neduk2-dong, Yoolang-dong, Sacheon-dong, Ogeunjang-dong,[17] Ochang-eup

Government and infrastructure

The headquarters of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are located in the Osong Health Technology Administration Complex.

Cultural properties
  • Sangdangsanseong (Sangdang Mountain Fortress) lies on the slopes of Mt. Uam within the city limits. The fortress is mainly a 3-to-4-metre-tall (9.8–13.1-foot) wall that stretches over 4.2 kilometres (2.6 miles) in circumference. The present walls date to the 1716 restoration of the site. Within the walls lies a small tourist village that has several restaurants.
  • Cheongju National Museum also lies near Mt. Uam, and houses several exhibits of cultural artifacts from the nearby area.
  • Heungdeoksa Temple Site is the home to the Early Printing Museum, and is to be the site of the printing of Jikji, the oldest existent book printed using movable metal type. The museum itself contains exhibits related to the art of printing through the ages.
  • Yongdusaji Cheoldanggan (The Iron Flagpole of the Yongdu Temple Site) is designated Korean National Treasure number 41, and is located near Lotte Department Store in downtown Cheongju. Made of twenty iron cylinders, the flagpole stands 13.1 metres (43.0 feet) tall, and was formerly used to hang flags to honour the Buddha.
  • National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art – Cheongju (MMCA Cheongju) which is scheduled to open in December 2018, will be the first museum in Korea to open its conservation center to the general public. Notably, MMCA Cheongju is being constructed within a renovated tobacco factory, which once played a major role in Korea's modern industry. The new building has been especially designed to use energy more efficiently and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As such, the new museum will be a high-profile example of a project combining elements of urban revitalization and historical preservation.
  • Chojeonghaenggung (Chojeong Temporary Palace) is a temporary palace where King Sejong stayed for treatment of an eye disease. It is said that King Sejong completed the creation of Hangul here. This place was destroyed during the Joseon Dynasty, and restoration work began in December 2017, and construction was completed in December 2019. It opened in June 2020. Also, Chojeong Mineral Water produced near here is quite famous carbonated water. It is known that King Sejong also tried to treat an eye disease with carbonated water produced in Chojeong. Chojeonghaenggung is located in Naesu-eup, Cheongwon-gu.

Transport

Cheongju International Airport provides scheduled flights within Korea and to China. The main train station is located at Ogeunjang approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) north of the city hall. This station is on the Chungbuk Line. Cheongju Bus Terminal provides almost all of the bus lines to bus terminals located in other cities. Ticketing time is between 4:00 am and 11:40 pm. Cheongju Express Bus Terminal provides some bus lines for Seoul (Gangnam, Sangbong, South Seoul, East Seoul, Busan, East Deagu, Gwangju).

In 2023, the Cheongju tunnel flooded during the annual monsoon which trapped 15 vehicles and resulted in at least 7 deaths and 11 reported missing.[18]

Education

Cheongju is the site of several tertiary institutions, including:

Festival

The Cheongju International Craft Biennale is usually held in September or October.[19]

There is also the Osong Cosmetic and Beauty Expo.[20]

Twin towns – sister cities
City Prefecture/Province/State Country Year Sources
Tottori Tottori Prefecture Japan 1991 [21]
Wuhan Hubei China 2000 [22]
Bellingham Washington United States 2008 [23][24][25]
Rostov-on-Don Rostov oblast Russia 1999 [26]

Notable people from Cheongju

References
  1. Ch'a, Yong-gŏl (2007). Mountain Fortresses in Central Inland Korea: Sangdang Sanseong Mountain Fortress. Korea Fortress Academy. ISBN 978-89-961732-2-9.
  2. "The Beginnings of Korea's History (Prehistoric Times – Gojoseon)". Korea.net. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  3. Sang-cheul, Choe (2002). "Creating Cultural Identity for Sustainable Urban Development A Case Study of the City of Cheongju in Korea" (PDF). Seoul National University. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  4. "El proyecto de renovación de una plaza iluminará un asta medieval de una ciudad surcoreana". Yonhap News Agency (in Spanish). 1 June 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  5. "Stone Buddhas of Yonghwasa Temple, Cheongju". Cultural Heritage Administration. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  6. "Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  7. "Oldest metal-printed book published in Korean, English". The Korea Times. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  8. Hwang, Kyung Moon (29 December 2015). Rationalizing Korea: The Rise of the Modern State, 1894–1945. University of California Press. p. 171. ISBN 978-0-520-96327-6.
  9. Traces of Jikji and Korean Movable Metal Types. Cheongju Early Printing Museum Press. 2003. p. 7.
  10. Eun-yi, Lee (10 November 2020). "[Monthly Korea] Modern Charm Nested in a Time-Honored Fortress". Korea.net. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  11. Shields, Steven (18 August 2020). "[RAS Korea] Cheongju: a historical and cultural gem". The Korea Times. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  12. * Welcome to Cheongju-Si Homepage * Archived 23 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  13. Nadarajah, M.; Yamamoto, Ann Tomoko (2007). Urban Crisis: Culture and the Sustainability of Cities. United Nations University Press. ISBN 978-92-808-1125-4.
  14. "Climatological Normals of Korea (1991 ~ 2020)" (PDF) (in Korean). Korea Meteorological Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  15. 순위값 - 구역별조회 (in Korean). Korea Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  16. "Climatological Normals of Korea" (PDF). Korea Meteorological Administration. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  17. 청원청주통합 홍보안내. 3 May 2014. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014.
  18. "Many dead in S Korea as flash floods trap 15 vehicles in tunnel". www.aljazeera.com. 16 July 2023.
  19. http://okcj.org/wp/%7CCheongju%5B%5D International public website
  20. "Cosmetics & Beauty Expo Osong Korea 2013". Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  21. "Cheongju Sister Cities: Tottori city, Japan". Cheongju City. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  22. "Cheongju Sister Cities: Wuhan city, China". Cheongju City. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  23. "Cheongju Sister Cities: Bellingham city, U.S". Cheongju City. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  24. "Our Sister Cities". Bellingham Sister Cities Association. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  25. "Interactive City Directory". Sister Cities International. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015.
  26. Города-побратимы Ростова-на-Дону (in Russian). Official site Administration of the city of Rostov-on-Don.
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